Territorial and nesting behavior in southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Abstract

During 1993-1997, three adjacent nesting pairs of the Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae) were located and observations made on their behavioral interactions, nests, and young in Canberra, Australia. Territory size was close to 100 ha; not the 4 to 10 ha reported in the literature. Males advertized territorial boundaries with the "boobook" call and 'duelled' using this and a "croaking" call. Neighboring males entered a rival's territory to challenge the resident male, sometimes near the resident's nest. Both sexes fed the young until 2 to 4 weeks after fledging, when females stopped. Males and their young moved to 'camp out' in various parts of their territories earlier defended.

Parent Publication

• Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium

Citation

Olsen, Jerry; Trost, Susan. 1997. Territorial and nesting behavior in southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae). In: Duncan, James R.; Johnson, David H.; Nicholls, Thomas H., eds. Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 308-313.