Noctua variegata (Quoy and Gaimard, 1830)[3] Ninox solomonis (Sharpe, 1876)[4]
The New Ireland boobook or New Ireland hawk owl (Ninox variegata) also known as the Bismarck boobook, Bismarck hawk owl or barred boobook, is a small to medium-sized owl measuring 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) in length.[4] It is a dark rufous-brown above, with barred scapular feathers and variable amounts of spotting or barring on the wings and tail. Its underparts are whitish, with an unmarked pale throat, a dark barred upper breast and barring on the remainder of the underparts. Its face is dark brown, its eyes are brown or yellow, and its bill and legs are yellow.[5] It is short-tailed and has heavy tarsi (the part of the leg above what is commonly referred to as the foot).[6]
Although its population size has not been quantified, it is widespread and fairly common in forest and forest edges within its range, and its numbers are thought to be stable.[7]Deforestation is thought to be a likely threat to the species.[8]
^ abcSibley, Charles Gald; Monroe, Burt Leavelle (1990). Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven, CT: Yale University. p. 182. ISBN0-300-04969-2.
^ abcWeick, Friedhelm (2002). Owls (Strigiformes): Annotated and Illustrated Checklist. Springer. p. 228. ISBN3-540-35234-1.
^König, Claus; Weick, Friedhelm; Becking, J. H (1999). Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World. Ithaca, NY: Pica Press. p. 184. ISBN1408108844.
