National recovery plan for the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl (Ninox natalis)

Executive Summary

The Christmas Island Hawk-Owl is endemic to Christmas Island, and is currently listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It’s territories are found in all habitats, but especially Primary and Marginal rainforests and in some secondary regrowth vegetation. The total population size was estimated in 1995 to be 562 ± 105 occupied territories (about 820-1200 birds). The total population size is primarily limited by the area of suitable habitat remaining on Christmas Island, especially intact mature rainforest with holes for nesting. Supercolonies of the introduced Crazy Ant potentially pose an extreme risk to this species. Actions for the conservation of this species outlined in this Recovery Plan aim to downgrade this species to Conservation Dependent primarily by implementing the Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan, protecting all habitat critical to the survival of this species, monitoring the population, and educating the Christmas Island community about this small, unique owl.