National Recovery Plan for the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis
Conservation StatusConservation Status
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Conservation Status
The Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis is currently listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act due to its small population size. This was based on estimates provided by van Tets (1975) of 10 - 100 pairs and subsequently by Stokes (1988) of 100 pairs. Following the outbreak of Crazy Ant supercolonies, Garnett & Crowley (2000) recommended the Christmas Island Hawk-owl be upgraded to Critically Endangered.
Approximately 25% of the island’s forests have been cleared since settlement and all but the small areas of regrowth vegetation are currently unsuitable and are unoccupied by Christmas Island Hawk-Owls. Hill & Lill (1998a) estimated that the island prior to settlement had a carrying capacity in the order of 740 135 owl territories. Between 1994-1996 Hill & Lill (1998a) estimated the population at 556 101 occupied owl territories in Primary Rainforest and 6 4 occupied owl territories in regrowth vegetation, and a total population size of 562105 occupied territories. The total Christmas Island Hawk-Owl population has probably decreased by at least 25% since settlement (Stokes 1988, Hill & Lill 1998a).