 The Southern Boobook is Australia's most widespread and numerous owl, found across the mainland and Tasmania. They are also called "Moreporks" in New Zealand.Sometimes known as the "Mopoke" because of its distinctive -- and often persistent --two-note cuckoo-like call, the smallest member of the Ninox or "hawk" owl family is heard far more often than seen in residential areas. Boobooks are frequently confused with Tawny Frogmouths. Despite its small staure, the Southern Boobook is a bold and aggressive predator. It hunts small mammals, small birds, night flying insects, spiders and beetles. The Southern Boobook is particularly vulnerable to secondary poisoning due to the widespread use of rodenticides containing Warfarin, Bromadioline or Brodifacoum. The Society for the Preservation of Raptors (Inc.) encourages householders to utilise a wide range of rodent control methods, including the use of Coumatetralyl based rodenticides, which do not accumulate up the food chain in the same manner as Warfarin, Bromadioline and Brodifacoum. For more information on lowering the environmental impact of your pest control methods, see our downloadable fact sheet (PDF - Adobe® Reader® required) or contact the Society. |