The breeding cycle of a pair of Rufous Owls Ninox rufa was observed over five breeding seasons, 2016–2020, in the Darwin Botanic Gardens, Northern Territory. A pair failed or did not breed in four of those years and raised one fledgling in 2018. The Owls occupied a hollow 2.5 m above ground in the trunk of an exotic Earpod Tree Enterolobium cyclocarpum. In 2018, laying occurred sometime between 11 June and 2 July, hatching between 21 and 25 July, and fledging (first true flight) on 6 September, with branching on 2–5 September, giving a nestling period of 44–48 days. The juvenile remained dependent until mid November, giving an estimated post-fledging dependence period of 10 weeks. For the following 3 weeks, it roosted alone within its natal home range, increasingly far (270–320 m) from the nest tree and roosting adults. Calling behaviour (including duetting by the pre-laying pair), courtship, copulation and parental behaviour and routines are described. From observations and pellet analysis, the Owls’ diet consisted of 78% mammals [Common Brushtail Possums Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis, flying-foxes (probably all Black Flying-foxes Pteropus alecto) and rats (probably Black Rats Rattus rattus)] and 22% birds (passerines and non-passerines up to Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt in size) by number.