Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Brown boobook

Ninox scutulata

Thomas Stamford Raffles, 1822

In Thai: นกเค้าเหยี่ยว

The brown hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata), also known as the brown boobook, is an owl which is a resident breeder in south Asia from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal east to western Indonesia and south China.

This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.

The brown hawk-owl is a resident breeder in most of tropical south Asia from the Middle East to south China. Its habitat is well-wooded country and forest. It lays three to five eggs in a tree hole.

The brown hawk-owl is a medium-sized (32 cm) owl with a hawk-like shape due to its long tail and lack of a distinct facial disk. The upperparts are dark brown, with a barred tail. The underparts are whitish with reddish-brown streaking, although the subspecies found in the Andaman Islands has dark brown underparts. The eyes are large and yellow. Sexes are similar.

This species is very nocturnal but it can often be located by the small birds that mob it while it is roosting in a tree. It feeds mainly on large insects, frogs, lizards, small birds, and mice. The call is a repeated low soft, musical oo-uk ...ooo-uk... which may be heard at dusk and dawn. This owl is quite common in towns and cities like Colombo, Sri Lanka as well as suburban areas close to buildings.

There are two records of the brown hawk-owl in the western hemisphere: an individual photographed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, on August 27, 2007, and a dead owl found on Kiska Island in 2008.

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Category / Seasonal Status

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae
Genus
Ninox
Species
Ninox scutulata

Common names

  • English:
    • Brown boobook
    • Brown hawk-owl
  • Thai: นกเค้าเหยี่ยว

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Brown boobook, Kaeng Krachan District
Brown boobook

Range Map

Distribution map of Brown boobook, Ninox scutulata in Thailand
  • Bang Phra Non-Hunting Area
  • Bangkok Province
  • Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Erawan National Park
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Sala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Khitchakut National Park
  • Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khlong Lan National Park
  • Khon San District, Chaiyaphum
  • Khura Buri District, Phang Nga
  • Ko Chang District, Trat
  • Ko Tao
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Laem Pak Bia
  • Lan Sang National Park
  • Mae Moei National Park
  • Mae Ping National Park
  • Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
  • Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Pha Daeng National Park
  • Phatthana Nikhom District, Lopburi
  • Phi Phi Islands
  • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
  • Phu Suan Sai National Park
  • Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Ramkhamhaeng National Park
  • San Kala Khiri National Park
  • Sri Nakarin Dam National Park
  • Sri Phang-nga National Park
  • Surin Islands
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Tat Ton National Park
  • Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga
  • Thale Ban National Park
  • Tham Sakoen National Park
  • Than Sadet - Koh Pha-Ngan National Park
  • Thap Lan National Park
  • Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
  • Wang Chan District, Rayong
  • Yan Ta Khao District, Trang
Range map of Ninox scutulata in Thailand