Seram Masked-Owl

Tyto almae

A little-known barn-owl species restricted to the island of Seram. The pale buff face, surrounded by a heart-shaped thick black facial disk, is characteristic of this owl family. Note the dark-capped appearance and the crown flecked with white streaks. Underparts are entirely buff with widely scattered, well-separated dark spots. Upperparts, nape, and crown are dark and cryptically patterned, with buff background checkered with extensive dark markings and scattered with indistinct pale spots. Specimen collected in wet montane forest. Distinctive: the only barn-owl on Seram. Recently described; only a few records. Screaming calls reported from captive bird.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Tyto almae
Order
Strigiformes
Family
Tytonidae
Genus
Tyto

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Olive-headed Lorikeet

Olive-headed Lorikeet

Trichoglossus euteles

A long-tailed green parrot with a light olive hood, an orange bill, and a yellowish-green underside. Note the yellow bar on the underwing in flight. Juveniles have a dark brownish-black bill. Gregarious, found in pairs or groups high up within forest and savanna in the lowlands, hills, and mountains in its limited range in the eastern Lesser Sundas. Smaller than Marigold Lorikeet, with a lighter colored head, and lacks Marigold’s broad yellow collar. Gives characteristic lorikeet screeches: “eek.”

Blue-backed Manakin

Blue-backed Manakin

Chiroxiphia pareola

Small bird of riverine and gallery forests in both forest and savanna regions; generally inconspicuous when not displaying. Adult male is distinctive with black body, sky-blue back, and red or yellow crown patch; both sexes have orange legs. Female is similar to White-bearded Manakin, but has somewhat slimmer shape and longer tail. Inhabits forest understory but may ascend to canopy, especially when displaying. Feeds on fruit like other manakins and may be seen at fruiting shrubs and trees. Often detected by loud, single call note; males produce a variety of bizarre sounds in coordinated group display.

Long-billed Bush Warbler

Long-billed Bush Warbler

Locustella major

Extremely rare, large, elongated brown warbler with a long slender bill. Fairly similar in appearance to West Himalayan, Chinese, Baikal, and Spotted Bush Warblers, but breeding ranges do not overlap. Like other bush warblers, typically very skulking and furtive, preferring to run instead of fly when threatened. Emerges onto small bushes to sing, producing a dull clicking that would underwhelm a grasshopper. Breeds in weedy and bushy slopes in open alpine and subalpine areas; wintering habitat poorly understood but presumed to be similar habitat at lower altitudes. Very few sightings in recent years.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.