Luzon boobook

''Ninox philippensis centralis'' on a 2004 stamp and postcard of the Philippines

The Luzon boobook is one of the smallest of the owls in the Philippine hawk-owl complex. It has white eyebrow-like streaks above the eyes and the beak and a white moustache forming an x-shape on the head. It does not have tufts of feathers on its head resembling ears. The upper parts of all subspecies are brown and the wings are mottled with oval-shaped white spots. The tail is dark brown with narrow white stripes. The sides of the head are brown, the chin is a whitish colour, while the rest of the underparts are pale white with wide brown streaks which are more prominent on the breast. The underside of the tail is white. The chequered subspecies have these reticulated patterns on the underparts, on the head, the upper parts of the back and the wings. The feet are partially covered with feathers and are pale yellow. The beak is olive.[3]

There are three recognised subspecies:

• Ninox philippensis centralis (Bohol, Boracay, Carabao, Guimaras, Negros, Panay, Semirara and Siquijor)
• Ninox philippensis philippensis (Biliran, Buad, Catanduanes, Leyte, Luzon, Marinduque, Polillo and Samar)
• Ninox philippensis ticaoensis (Ticao)

The Luzon boobook can be found in forest areas up to an altitude of 1,800 m (5,906 ft) above sea level, although they mostly reside in areas below 1,000 m (3,281 ft). Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The breeding season for this species starts around February utilizing hollows in trees as nesting sites. It feeds on insects and small rodents.[3]

They are locally common within that range and the population size is believed to be stable. The owls face no particular threats, and as a result, the IUCN has listed the group as being of "least concern" as it is also tolerant of secondary forest and clearings. [4]

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• Kennedy, R.S., Gonzales P.C., Dickinson E.C., Miranda, Jr, H.C., Fisher T.H. (2000) A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines, Oxford University Press, Oxford.