The Rufous owl (Ninox rufa), also known as the rufous boobook, is a species of boobook in the Strigidae family. It was described in 1846 by John Gould, an English ornithologist. Its common name reflects the rufous-colored feathers that these owls are covered with in adulthood. While it is uncommon, the species has a wide range, including Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.