June 11, 2013 at 6:54 pm

Picture of the Day: The Masked Owl

by twistedsifter

 

THE MASKED OWL

 

australian masked owl landing

Photograph by benjamin444 | CC BY-SA 3.0

 

The Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) is a barn owl of Southern New Guinea and the non-desert areas of Australia.

Masked Owls show strong reverse sexual dimorphism (obvious differences between male and female). A male Masked Owl’s weight ranges from 420-800g, while females are typically much larger ranging from 545-1260 g. Length ranges between 330–410 mm for males and 390–500 mm for females. Wing span is up to 1280 mm for southern female Masked Owls.

They are nocturnal and their prey includes rodents, small dasyurids, possums, bandicoots, rabbits, bats, birds, reptiles and insects. Their population on the mainland is declining and several states have placed this owl on the Species Conservation Status list. [Source]

 

 

picture of the day button Picture of the Day: The Masked Owl