Masked Owl - Nswfmpa.org

1 IntroductionOwls make up the order Strigiformes and are divided into two distinct families; Strigidaealso know as “typical” owls includes about 167 species world wide. Masked Owls arepart of the family Tytonidae which includes about 14 species. (Laurie J. gage)Masked Owls are the largest of all Tyto owls.The Australian Masked Owl is a secretive, relatively silent and strictly nocturnal species.They usually keep to heavier forested Eucalypt country and are rarely found more than300km inland from the coast. (Readers Digest) .Masked Owls are territorial and remainin the same area all their lives .They roost in big hollows in trees, crevices in cliffs andcaves.Masked Owls hunt in the same way as Barn Owls, quartering forest country and clearingslow on the wing or listening from low perches, sometimes even standing motionless onthe ground. They mainly prey on small terrestrial mammals, possums and medium sizedbirds.Masked Owls are known to mate permanently. They may breed at any time of the yeardepending on seasonal variance and abundance of prey.2-3 eggs are laid and incubatedfor 35 days, only the female will incubate the eggs she is fed in the nest by the male eachnight.The population of the Australian Masked Owl on the main land is declining and severalstates have placed this species on the species conservation list.A significant threat to the Masked Owl is the ongoing loss of old growth Eucalypt forest,nesting habitat, from commercial timber harvesting , land clearance, tree felling forfirewood and natural attrition of old growth trees deaths from collisions with vehicles ,fences or power poles and electrocution on powerlines may also be a significant source ofmortality for this species.8