Order Strigiformes Higher classification Ninox | Phylum Chordata Family Strigidae Scientific name Ninox ios Rank Species | |
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Similar Togian boobook, Ochre‑bellied boobook, Speckled boobook, Ninox, Sumba boobook | ||
The cinnabar boobook (Ninox ios) also known as the cinnabar hawk owl, is a hawk owl endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It was described as a new species to science by American ornithologist Pamela C. Rasmussen in 1999 based on a single specimen collected by Frank Rozendaal from Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park on Minahassa Peninsula, northern Sulawesi, in 1985. Subsequently, it has also been observed in Lore Lindu National Park in central Sulawesi, greatly expanding the known habitat range.
The cinnabar boobook is small (total length 22 cm or 8.5 in) and has a relatively long tail and narrow pointed wings. The four known records of the species indicate it is a nocturnal forest dwelling species living at mid-altitudes (1,100 to 1,700 m (3,600 to 5,600 ft)). Otherwise very little is known of its habits. Based on morphological similarities with owlet-nightjars, Rasmussen suggests the cinnabar boobook may be an insectivore and prey on invertebrates in flight.