Fun Northern Boobook Facts For Kids
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The northern boobook is a true owl species found in the regions of Siberia and South-eastAsia. This owl is found in the countries of Russia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
There are three subspecies that occupy different regions within this habitat range. The scientific names are N.j japonica, N.j. florensis, and the N.j. totogo.
The N.j. japonica is the nominate subspecies of the northern boobook owl. The northern boobook owl is a largely brown-colored owl and has white underparts with dark brown streaks. Other notable physical features include golden eyes and yellow feet.
The northern boobook species feeds mainly on invertebrates and insects. Other parts of the diet include butterflies, lizards, small birds, mammals, and small rodents, including bats.
The northern boobook is also a very agile flier with wings of a considerable length, resembling those of a hawk. The northern boobook species does not have many urgent threats and is listed under the status of Least Concern by the IUCN.
For more relatable content, check out these flammulated owl facts for kids and saker falcon interesting facts pages.
Northern Boobook Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a northern boobook?
The northern boobook (Ninox japonica) is a bird and a true owl.
What class of animal does a northern boobook belong to?
The northern boobook (Ninox japonica) species belongs to the Aves class of animals.
How many northern boobooks are there in the world?
The exact number of northern boobook birds in the world is uncertain since the world population of the species has not been quantified. However there are no substantial threats within the northern boobook distribution range.
Where does a northern boobook live?
Northern boobook birds are found in the regions of Siberia and south-eastern Asia. There are three main subspecies, all of which exist in different geographic ranges.
The N.j. Japonica subspecies is mainly seen in Japan and South Korea. It is also the nominated subspecies and undergoes migration to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines from Japan and South Korea.
The N.j. florensis subspecies is known to occur in the south-eastern parts of the Siberian range, in the Sakhalin and Ussuriland Islands. The range also extends to central China, north China, and North Korea. This subspecies undergoes migration to the south to the Lesser and Greater Sunda Islands.
The N.j totogo is seen on the Ryukyu Islands, Lanyu, and Taiwan. It is limited to this range and is not migratory.
The different subspecies may coexist in Taiwan. The northern boobook range also extends to Alaska but only as a vagrant.
What is a northern boobook's habitat?
The northern boobook (Ninox japonica) species likes to live in different kinds of forests such as evergreen forests, coniferous forests, and especially lowland deciduous forests with many tall trees. The birds of this species also live in gardens, plantations, wooded parks, swamps, and mangroves.
The northern boobook habitat is mostly found at elevations of 0-5,577 ft (0-1,700 m).
Who do northern boobooks live with?
Northern boobook birds may be seen foraging alone or with mates during the breeding season.
How long does a northern boobook live?
Being an owl species, the northern boobook (Ninox japonica) may live for up to 25 years.
How do they reproduce?
The northern boobook species reproduces by mating and egg-laying. When the breeding season begins, the males are known to sing to attract females. The bonded mates are seen moving around and singing together, mainly during copulation.
These owls nest in natural cavities, mostly in holes in large trees. The nests tend to be 15.7-35.4 in (40-90 cm) off the ground.
The egg-laying period is usually from March to April but may differ slightly with range. The number of eggs laid is three to four. These eggs are white and are incubated by the northern boobook female for 25-31 days.
The hatched chicks have dense white down feathers. They are given food by both their parents of the family. The chicks remain in the nest for 24-26 days and are known to fledge in May.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the northern boobook (Ninox japonica) species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature is Least Concern.
Northern Boobook Fun Facts
What do northern boobooks look like?
The northern boobook (Ninox japonica) is considered to be a medium-sized true owl. The upper parts of the northern boobook are colored dark-brown, and the scapulars have white markings on them.
The tail of the northern boobook is broad and has dark bars. The wings tend to be long and make northern boobook birds look like hawks. The underparts of the northern boobook are whitish and have longitudinal, broad, and conspicuous dark brown streaks.
The neck and head are largely grayish-brown. There are no ear-tufts or a facial disk, but there is a white patch right between the eyes. The bill is dark and blackish, and the cere is a dull green. The eyes of the northern boobook are golden-yellow and the tarsi are slightly feathered. The feet and legs are yellowish.
There is not much sexual dimorphism. Also, the juveniles resemble the adults but tend to have less-streaked underparts and fluffy overall plumage. The chicks have dense white down feathers in their pink sin.
The N.j florensis subspecies is paler and larger than the nominate N.j. Japonica subspecies.The N.j. totogo subspecies has shorter wings and are overall smaller.
* Please note that this is an image of a southern boobook, not a northern boobook. If you have an image of a northern boobook, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.How cute are they?
Northern boobooks are cute and beautiful birds. They are majestic in flight and their large wings resembling those of hawks. These owls have beautiful splashes of golden and yellow on their feet and eyes. Their brown and white plumage makes them look fluffy and cuddly, and their wide-eyed gaze is rather comical.
How do they communicate?
The northern boobook species communicate via songs and calls. The usual call is a nasal and sharp 'heeoo', along with a rolling and quiet 'kerrrr' that sounds like the purring of a cat. A cat-like 'meww' is also heard.
The song of the northern boobook species is musical and very pleasant. It is not particularly loud but can be heard over a distance. The song consists of two to three hollow and short 'woops' with some gaps between them. The breeding adult's song consists of a series of 'ho-ho, ho-ho, ho-ho, ho-ho, ho-ho, ho-ho, ho-ho' notes.
How big is a northern boobook?
The senorthern boobooks are 12.2-13 in (31-33 cm) in length, making them five to six times bigger than bee hummingbirds. Also, the northern boobook wingspan is 26-27.6 (66-70 cm).
How fast can a northern boobook fly?
Being owls, northern boobook birds may be able to fly at speeds close to 40 mph (64.4 kph). They are very agile in flight and are known to fly through trees without ever touching them. They are capable of turning sharply and fly in vertical falls and rises.
How much does a northern boobook weigh?
A northern boobook (Ninox japonica) weighs 5.9-8.8 oz (168-250 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
The males and females of the northern boobook species do not have specific names.
What would you call a baby northern boobook?
A baby northern boobook may be called an owlet or a fledgling.
What do they eat?
Northern boobook birds are known to eat invertebrates, large butterflies, insects, crabs, small birds, lizards, amphibians, bats, and small rodents.
Are they dangerous?
No, northern boobook birds are not dangerous.
Would they make a good pet?
No, northern boobooks would not make good pets. These are wild birds that like living in lush forests with tall trees. They are free creatures and should not be attempted to be held captive.
Did you know...
The northern boobook was previously considered a subspecies of the brown hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata and the N.j. totogo subspecies of the northern boobook is still seldom considered by some as a separate species called the Ryukyu boobook (Ninox totogo).
The brown hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata) eats a diet of insects, small mammals, frogs, birds, and lizards.
Northern boobooks are not endangered.
Northern boobooks have many identifying features including golden-yellow eyes, yellow feet, white underparts with dark brown streaks, and brown upperparts.
Why do boobook owls call at night?
Boobook owls call at night because they are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are more active during the night.
How did northern boobooks get their name?
The 'northern' in the name comes from their similarities to southern boobooks that are found in Australia. Northern boobooks are found to the north of the Australian habitat of southern boobooks. The north habitat of the northern boobooks consists of southern and eastern Asia and Siberia. They are called 'boobooks' because of their calls that have two tones.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our burrowing owl fun facts for kids or the rufous owl interesting facts pages.
You can occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable European barn owl coloring pages.
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