Masked Owl

Scientific Name: Tyto novaehollandiae

Size: Total Length 35 to 50 cm

What does it look and sound like?

The Masked Owl has three basic plumage phases: pale, intermediate and dark. The plumage pattern remains similar in each case. The facial disc is chestnut to white, edged with a darker ring and darker around the bill and below the eyes. The upperparts vary from blackish-brown to grey-white and are liberally spotted with grey and white. The underparts are rufous to white, speckled with dark brown. Sexes are similar in plumage, but the females are larger and generally darker than the males.

Young Masked Owls are white to cream in colour when first fledged. After the first year, they closely resemble the adults but may be more heavily streaked.

The Masked Owl is larger and generally darker than the similar Barn Owl, T. alba (30 to 39 cm).

The call is a deep, rasping screech.

Where is it found?

The range is a broad coastal band around most of Australia and Tasmania, and for the most part is less than 300 kilometres from the coast.

What are its habitats & habits?

The Masked Owl inhabits forests, woodlands, timbered waterways and open country on the fringe of these areas.

Masked Owls feed mostly on small mammals, such as rodents, rabbits and bandicoots. Other prey animals include possums, reptiles, birds and insects, with hunting taking place in the early hours of night. The birds on low perches listening for prey which, once detected, is taken from the ground or from the tree branches.

Masked Owls may breed at any time of the year, when conditions are favourable and food items are plentiful. The nest is a bare chamber located deep in a tree hollow, which is lined with soil, sand or soft wood mulch. The 2 to 3 eggs are incubated solely by the female, while the male provides the food. The female also tears up the food for the chicks. The young birds leave the nest after 2 to 3 months of hatching, but remain in the vicinity of the nest, and are fed by the parent birds, for a further month.

Masked Owls are considered to be territorial, and pairs remain in or near the territory all year round.