Masked Owl - Nswfmpa.org
Masked Owl - Nswfmpa.org
Masked Owl - Nswfmpa.org
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1 Introduction<strong>Owl</strong>s make up the order Strigiformes and are divided into two distinct families; Strigidaealso know as “typical” owls includes about 167 species world wide. <strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong>s arepart of the family Tytonidae which includes about 14 species. (Laurie J. gage)<strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong>s are the largest of all Tyto owls.The Australian <strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong> 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) .<strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong>s are territorial and remainin the same area all their lives .They roost in big hollows in trees, crevices in cliffs andcaves.<strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong>s hunt in the same way as Barn <strong>Owl</strong>s, 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.<strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong>s 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 <strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong> on the main land is declining and severalstates have placed this species on the species conservation list.A significant threat to the <strong>Masked</strong> <strong>Owl</strong> 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