Australasian Grass-Owl
Tyto longimembris
Reclusive and rarely seen owl of cane fields, meadows, and other areas with tall grassy cover. Tan-brown overall with black, white, and orange mottling on the wings. Flies low over grassy areas, primarily during dawn and dusk, often with long legs dangling. Heart-shaped facial disk, very similar to Barn Owl and Masked Owls. Nests in dense fields; fluffy owlets often exposed during harvesting season in agricultural areas.
Identification
The eastern grass owl is a medium-sized owl, similar in size to the barn owl. Adult males measure from 32 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) in length, while the larger females can measure from 35 to 42 cm (14 to 17 in). The wingspan is from 100 to 116 cm (39 to 46 in). The female weighs 460 g (16 oz) while the male weighs 400 g (14 oz). They have dark brown or tan upper parts with pale spots. They have black and tan bars on its wings and a very pale beak, feathered legs, and dark brown eyes. Like all Tyto owls, it has a heart-shaped facial disk with brown buff and a white bordering.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tyto longimembris
- Authority
- (Jerdon, 1839)
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Tytonidae
- Genus
- Tyto
Range and habitat
Eastern grass owls live in eastern, southern and southeast Asia, parts of New Guinea, the Philippines, Australia (mainly in Queensland) and the western Pacific. This owl prefers tall grasslands and swamps. Roost areas consist of flattened vegetation within systems of "tunnels" through the swamp vegetation. Nesting is in similar situations.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Eastern grass owls are considered "least concern" globally, primarily because of their wide distribution. Within Australia, Tyto longimembris is considered vulnerable on the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995).
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-bellied Bustard
Lissotis melanogaster
A lithe, medium-sized bustard with black daubs on a mostly tan-colored back. The male has a black belly, neck stripe, throat, and face patch. The female is uniform buff-brown from the belly to the head. In flight, both sexes have white windows in the wings. Singles and pairs inhabit tall grassland and grassy savanna. Its strange display involves the male stretching his neck and making a frog-like “kwoork” croak, and as he retracts his head to the shoulders, follows with a “grrrr” growl and champagne-cork-like “pop” while his head lifts again. He also performs an aerial display with the wings held back rigidly and with a puffed throat exposed.
Brown Tanager
Orchesticus abeillei
Large and rather uncommon tanager found in the canopy of humid forests where it usually accompanies mixed-species flocks. Plain brown overall with a cinnamon face, wings, and tail and a dark mask running through the eyes. Its plumage mimics the Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, with which it is easily confused and it may even occur in the same flock, but note the tanager’s thicker bill. The thin rising song is very high-pitched.
Tody Motmot
Hylomanes momotula
Small and infrequently seen bird of shady forest understory in humid tropical lowlands. Rather inactive. Sits quietly, mainly at low to middle levels, and occasionally wags its tail slowly. Usually not seen until flushed, when flies off with a low whirr of wings. Note the overall drab greenish plumage with a rusty cap and bushy whitish whisker marks. Much smaller than other motmots and lacks the racket tail tips of most larger motmot species.
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