boobook

[ boo-book, -book ]

noun

1. a small, reddish-brown spotted owl, Ninox boobook, native to Australia and New Zealand.

boobook

/ ˈbuːbʊk /

noun

1. a small spotted brown Australian owl, Ninox boobook

Word History and Origins

Origin of boobook¹

First recorded in 1795–1805, boobook is from the Dharuk word bokbok (imitative)

Example Sentences

Two Tasmanian Devil joeys, Wolf and Alula, were seen in the footage biting at the bobble of a Santa hat, while Boobook owl chick Mango perched in a Christmas wreath.

From Reuters

Credit: Nicholas Carlile The plan is to eradicate the rats and mice from conservation areas on Lord Howe Island in 2015, and then reintroduce the captive-bred stick insects, and their natural predators – a sub-species of boobook owl.

From Scientific American

The Boobook Owl, though not often seen, calls "Mopoke," which sounded like "Boobook" to the aboriginal ear, but became "Cuckoo"—the best-loved bird-call of their far-distant home to the ears of the homesick first white residents.

From Project Gutenberg

However, some reliable observers, notably Mr. C. H. McLennan, "Mallee Bird," and Mr. T. H. Tregellas, claim that the Frogmouth does call "Mopoke'" occasionally, but the Boobook Owl is the bird that is responsible for the frequent "Mopoke" on calm evenings.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus Australia's reputation was added to even by the Boobook Owl.

From Project Gutenberg