Endemic Cebu hawk-owl spotted in Alcoy, Cebu

A Cebu hawk-owl was recently spotted in Alcoy, Cebu by a staff member of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VII.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, the endemic bird, also known as Cebu Boobook, can only be found on the island.

"Meron po kaming population and habitat monitoring of priority threatened species in Barangay Nug-as, Alcoy. 'Yung Nug-as, Alcoy, ito po 'yung timberland areas nila. It is a proposed critical habitat," DENR wildlife expert Carlo Babiera said.

Cebu hawk-owls are medium-sized birds that feast on insects, reptiles, and small mammals and birds.

The Cebu hawk-owl as well as the Camiguin hawk-owl and Romblon Boobook are considered the biggest among the Philippine hawk-owl species complex.

However, the destruction of their habitat due to both legal and illegal logging and mining serves as a threat to these birds.

The Cebu hawk-owls were previously classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as endangered species, but recently, they were reclassified as vulnerable, noting that their population may reach 900. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News