The Cebu hawk-owl (Ninox rumseyi ) or Cebu boobook, is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Philippine hawk-owl, but was reclassified in 2012, as voice and other data suggested placement as a distinct species.
EBird describes the bird as "A medium-sized owl of wooded areas on the island of Cebu. Head and upperparts dark brown and indistinctly barred. Underparts orange-brown. Shows some white speckling in the wing, a pale bar behind the shoulder, bright yellow eyes, and white eyebrows forming an arching V-shape. Note the large white throat patch. Unmistakable. No other owls occur in its range. Song is a distinctive “wip! Doo-wip! Doh” with the middle notes falling then rising, and the final note falling. Also gives single “wip” notes and rasps.."
The Cebu hawk-owl is an earless species. Males and females are similar in appearance. It nests natural cavities in older, larger trees
It and along with the Camiguin hawk-owl and Romblon hawk-owl are the largest in the Philippine hawk-owl species complex reaching sizes of 25cm tall versus the much smaller Luzon hawk-owl, Mindanao hawk-owl, Mindoro hawk-owl and Sulu hawk-owl which sizes range from 15-20cm tall.