A recent update by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has delisted several Birds, including three Boobook species, from the Endangered list: the Camiguin, Cebu, and Sulu Boobooks.
While this is indeed good news, it is very important to note that this is by no means an indication that there is an improvement in their overall numbers.
But before we go into why, let’s first get to know Boobooks a little better.
ARE THEY HAWKS OR OWLS?
They resemble Hawks in appearance and habit, but they’re actually Owls. Hawk-Owls or Boobooks are one of the most widespread families of Owls in the Philippines. They all belong to the genus Ninox, which is a combination of two Latin words: Nisus, meaning Sparrowhawk, and Noctua, meaning Owl.
WHY ARE THEY CALLED BOOBOOKS?
We have ten different species of Boobooks in the Philippines, eight of which are found only in the country.
The name “Boobook” is imitative of the call made by these Owls. This call is unique per species, and is the best way to distinguish one Boobook species from another.
PERFECTLY CAMOUFLAGED
Most Boobooks are pretty small in size, usually around seven to ten inches tall. Their overall brown coloration makes them blend perfectly with their surroundings. Their camouflage is so good that even with the aid of artificial lighting, it is pretty difficult to spot a Boobook on a tree.
Unlike other Owls, Boobooks are round-headed, and lack the ear tufts or horns found on other Owls. To complete their cuteness are those large yellow eyes, perfectly adapted to seeing with even the faintest light.
NIGHT HUNTERS
Boobooks are nocturnal Owls, spending most of their activity at night, while generally roosting during the day. I usually find or hear them during earlier parts of the evening, at around 7:00 to 9:00 PM and a few hours before sunrise between 3:00 and 5:00 AM.
During the day, they would roost on dense foliage near the tree’s crown to protect them from the bright sun and potential predators.
Like other Owls, Boobooks are primarily carnivores, feeding mainly on Insects. But they will also take small Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles. They rely on their excellent night vision and a pair of silent wings to ambush unsuspecting prey. These impressive and cute night hunters help control the numbers of their prey items, avoiding pests and diseases from potentially spreading throughout their native range.
OBSERVING WITH RESPECT
As these Owls are active at night, to observe them, I usually use a flashlight to find them in the thick foliage of trees after hearing their calls. In the event that I do find an Owl, I try to keep the center of the light away from the Owl’s face and keep the Owl’s exposure to artificial light to only a few minutes to protect their eyes.
I also do not use flash to photograph Owls as the sudden strong light may permanently damage their eyes. An indication that the Owl is exposed to too much light can be seen in their pupils: If these start to pinpoint and retract, the light is too much; if they are dilated, then the amount of light is just right.
NO LONGER ENDANGERED? PROBABLY NOT
The majority of the Boobook species in the Philippines are threatened by extinction. Their biggest threat is the loss of most of their habitat, mainly the old native trees of our forest. They are also a common target of poachers who catch them for the illegal wildlife trade.
And as mentioned earlier, IUCN has delisted three Boobook species from their Endangered list. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that their population has grown considerably. IUCN has merely updated their methods and criteria by which they determine their assessment of a Bird species’ numbers in the wild.
In other words, while we welcome the thought that there might be more of them out there hiding in remote areas where surveys could not reach them, we have yet to curb the causes that continue to contribute to their decline.
HOW WE CAN PROTECT PH BOOBOOKS
Currently, the Philippines does not have a specific conservation program to monitor and protect these amazing Owls and their habitat. Thankfully, we have designated protected landscapes all over the Philippines that serve as a sanctuary for these avian treasures.
We can also help stop the demand for illegal wildlife by reporting any poaching activity, especially those rampant in social media, through the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau.
Finally, we can plant more native trees, even in urbanized areas, to give our Boobooks a chance to spread more of their charm all over the country.
While we welcome the thought that there might be more Boobooks out there hiding in remote areas where surveys could not reach them, we have yet to curb the causes that continue to contribute to their decline.
