Rufous Owl

1. Rich reddish-brown upperparts with narrow light barring and densely barred underparts

2. Larger and more strongly rufous than other Australian hawk-owls, with a distinctive blackish facial mask and greenish-yellow eyes

3. Deep, soft, low-pitched double-hoot “woo-hoo” call, slower and lower than the Southern Boobook or Barking Owl

Rufous Owls are powerful and versatile hunters, feeding on a wide range of prey including small to medium mammals (possums, rodents, flying foxes), birds, and large insects They employ various hunting techniques: swooping from perches, snatching prey from foliage or the ground, and even aerial chases. They often retain prey in their talons during the day, consuming it gradually. Breeding typically occurs from June to September, with nests in large tree hollows high above ground (up to 30 meters). Females lay 1–2 eggs, incubated for about 36–38 days, and young remain dependent on parents for several months, sometimes until the next breeding season. Both parents defend the nest aggressively against intruders.

Rufous Owls inhabit coastal and subcoastal Northern Australia, including the Kimberley, Arnhem Land, Cape York, and eastern Queensland. They prefer tropical rainforests and the margins of rainforests, but also occur in sclerophyll forests, woodlands, Melaleuca forests along watercourses, and occasionally mangroves. During the day, they roost singly or in pairs under dense foliage or on bare horizontal branches, often in tall trees along forest edges or riparian corridors. They are most often detected by their calls at dawn and dusk, especially during the breeding season (June to September). Signs of their presence include creamy excreta, regurgitated pellets, and fur beneath favoured roosts.