Two nights ago I was woken at around 3am by a strange, noise.  It was the plaintive cry of a Southern Boobook Owl.  These little nocturnal birds sound strangely like a European Cuckoo - the kind that inspired the Cuckoo or Grandfather clocks, and I was almost fooled. 

 

Having seen (and heard) Cuckoos abroad, I knew instantly how they sound, but lay there awake for some time wondering if I was hearing things.  Because while Australia is home to many different varieties of Cuckoos, they sound nothing like their European cousins.  If you've never seen or heard an Australian variety of the Cuckoo, you can read all about them on our post A Cuckoo Comes a Calling. 

 

 

It was not a European Cuckoo, lost in migration, after all.  It was, in fact, a Sourthern Boobook Owl, also known as the Mopoke.  The Southern Boobook Owl is much smaller than other species of Owls and is snow white in colour until they reach maturity.  At this time, they turn a rich chocolate brown in colour, with a spotty belly.  Its feet are grey or yellow and its beak is grey.  You can read more about the Southern Boobook Owl here, on the Birds in Backyards website.  According to the Wires Northern Rivers website, the name "boobook" comes from the Eora Aboriginal tribe, of the Sydney region. 

 

If you'd like to hear their sound, listen to the recording here, on Owl Pages.

 

Owls are typically nocturnal, although they are known to feed in the early morning light should food be scarce.  Small rodents, bats, insects, baby birds and even young possums are all a tasty feast for these birds of prey.  Owls have long been thought of as otherworldly creatures, probably due to their nocturnal activities.  Just like the Harry Potter chronicles, you will find owls featuring in many stories of witchcraft and magic.  Folklore has it that seeing an owl heralds a time of intuitive wisdom, when you should be alert to signs and omens in the environment around you.