The Bismarck Hawk Owl, Ninox variegata is a medium to small owl at 23 to 30 cm. It has dark brown or rufous upperparts and brown scapulars and wing coverts that are spotted white. Its underparts are white with bars of dark brown or rufous.

This species lives at elevations up to 1000 meters in lowland forests, tree-covered hills, low mountains,, and the edges of forests. It is found only in New Britain and New Ireland.

Not much is known about its eating habits, but it is thought to feed mainly on insects.

It is fairly common throughout its limited range.