Southern Boobook Owl
(Ninox novaeseelandiae)
The Boobook Owl in this picture is not an easy bird to find.
Like all owls it is nocturnal. Only 30 cm in length, it sits quietly by day extremely well camouflaged by its mottled plumage of browns, russets and cream. At dusk it stirs, making good use of its glowing yellow eyes as it hunts for insects. The Boobook Owl is found in various habitats over Australia and plumage colors are variable throughout its range. Its common name refers to the sound of its call.
The artist used soft pastels on a toned pastel paper to suggest the variations of this enigmatic bird's plumage.
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