Ninox novaeseelandiae ocellata Ninox novaeseelandiae ocellata Ninox novaeseelandiae ocellata is a subspecies of southern boobook. The southern boobook is the most common and smallest owl on the Australian mainland. The sub species is characterised by its lighter colour than other sub species, and is generally found in a wide range of habitats (adapting very well to human activities). Ocellata is the smallest of the boobook subspecies as it is found in the warmer western parts of Australia (north-western New South Wales/western Queensland across to Western Australia). although it is not found in arid areas. The Boobook can be commonly known as the ‘mopoke’
Southern boobook August to October in Queensland, from September to November in New South Wales and southern Western Australia, July to September in central and northern Western Australia, in October and November in Victoria, and in September to December in South Australia. The southern boobook nests in holes in trees between 1 and 20 m (3–70 ft) above the ground. The holes are generally vertical, and mostly in eucalypts, though other trees such as coast banksia ("Banksia integrifolia") have been recorded. Some sites are reused by the species for up to 20 years, especially if broods have been successfully raised in them