Tasmanian Boobook

1. Darker and more heavily spotted than other Australian boobooks

2. Higher-pitched, smoother “boo-book” call compared to mainland relatives

3. Small, compact build with dense white spotting

These owls are nocturnal hunters, feeding on insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Breeding occurs during Tasmania’s spring and summer (September to February, mainly October). Pairs nest in tree hollows, laying 2–3 white eggs per clutch. The female incubates the eggs alone for about a month, while the male brings her food. Both parents feed the chicks, which remain in the nest for about 42 days before fledging. The Tasmanian Boobook is a partial migrant: while some individuals remain year-round, others regularly migrate across Bass Strait in a single non-stop 25km flight, an impressive feat for a small owl.

Tasmanian Boobooks are found in wooded habitats throughout Tasmania, including dense wet forests, dry forests, suburban parks, and farmland with scattered trees. They are also present on King Island and other Bass Strait islands, and some migrate to mainland Victoria and rarely southern New South Wales during winter months. Listen for their distinctive, higher-pitched “boo-book” call from dusk onwards. During the day, they roost quietly in thick foliage or tree hollows.