The Tasmanian Masked Owl is a fairly large owl with large powerful talons and no ear-tufts. If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. The eyes are blackish Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania. (): Species Management Profile for Tasmania's Threatened Species Link. You may need to employ an ecological consultant to do this. 48: p 140. brown and the bill is whitish-cream. It is a large bird with a mask-like facial disc and distinctive husky, screeching call. Contact details: Threatened Species Section, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 7001. See also: Other owls from Oceania, Habitat: Forest and semi-open wooded areas and bushy landscapes. Tarsi are feathered fulvous-brown to the base of the toes, which are greyish-brown to yellowish-grey. Dedicated surveys for the subspecies generally use a playback system; this involves broadcasting an amplified Masked Owl call (a drawn-out rasping 'cush-cush-sh-sh') which can elicit an … Description: Female: The facial disc is pale chestnut to brownish-buff, with a darker, often nearly black zone around the Voice: Typical call is a screech similar to the Barn Owl, but louder and more rasping. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives. For long-term protection of populations on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance. Masked Owls in Tasmania. To ensure you follow the law - check whether your survey requires a permit. Tasmanian Masked Owls are not only large, but robust. If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. To avoid loss of nesting/roosting habitat – do not clear old growth forest containing potential nesting trees, and other non-old growth forests which contain old-growth elements including hollow-bearing trees. Roosts by day in dense foliage of tall trees, or in hollow tree trunks; May also take smaller birds and lizards. sometimes in caves or rock crevices. The Tasmanian Masked Owl can be found in wet or dry eucalypt forests, woodlands or even in the area next to agricultural fields. This species is not currently recognised by the International Ornithological Congress, who consider it a sub-species of the Australian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae. Always report any observations of the species to the DPIPWE. Underparts are fulvous with large dark spots. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (1836) (PZS) pt. . Genus: Tyto. Tail length 140-178mm. Claws are blackish-brown. Typically this owl prefers to be on the edge of the forest. If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, see the Forest Practice Authority's. Male: Generally paler in colour, with the facial disc being brownish-white and the underparts whitish or pale fulvous with smaller dark brown spots. The Tasmanian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops) is a subspecies of Masked Owl which occurs only in Tasmania. They weigh up to 1.26 kilograms (2.8 lb) with a wingspan of up to 129 centimetres (51 in). To prevent collisions of birds with man-made structures - where bird collisions have occurred with an existing structure such as powerlines, investigate and implement ways to mitigate the chance of further collisions. Cite as: Threatened Species Section (). Permit: A permit is required under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 to 'take' (which includes kill, injure, catch, damage, destroy and collect), keep, trade in or process any specimen or products of a listed species. Your local Bushcare or Field Naturalist club may be able to assist you with a survey. By Birding-Aus, on April 22nd, 2013. Flight feathers are greyish-brown eyes which extends towards the base of the bill. 1837. The Tasmanian Masked Owl is a fairly large owl with large powerful talons and no ear-tufts. There is also a cackling call. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed). . Their plumage is mainly a variable combination of browns and greys, generally darker than the other Australian subspecies. The rim of the facial disc is very prominently brown, with darker speckles. The wing coverts are similar. This page has been developed by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Habits: The Tasmanian Masked Owl is nocturnal and secretive. Technical Note on identifying masked owl habitat, Forest Practices Authority Species Profile (Tasmanian Masked Owl), Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Chordata (vertebrates), Aves (birds), Strigiformes, Tytonidae. The known range of the Tasmanian Masked Owl includes the whole of Tasmania excluding King Island and the Furneaux group. Hunting & Food: Hunts small mammals, up to the size of rabbits. Dedicated surveys for the subspecies generally use a playback system; this involves broadcasting an amplified Masked Owl call (a drawn-out rasping 'cush-cush-sh-sh') which can elicit an answering call from a nearby owl. Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Last updated 2020-11-12. Size: Length 47-55cm. The endangered Tasmanian masked owl ( Tyto novaehollandiae castanops) is a Tasmanian endemic subspecies of the Australian masked owl ( Tyto novaehollandiae ). Its population has been estimated to comprise approximately 500 breeding pairs. If in doubt, seek expert assistance with identification. It is a top order nocturnal predator that favours small mammals, but will forage on birds, possums and even pademelons! It is common for playback calls to go unanswered in locations where owls are known to be present some of the time, leading to very low rates of detection. To avoid loss of nesting trees - do not remove single or isolated old-growth trees in pasture land. Habitat for the Tasmanian Masked Owl includes the following elements: foraging habitat - a diverse range of forest, woodland and non-forest vegetation including agricultural and forest mosaics; nesting habitat - eucalypt forests and woodlands containing old growth trees with suitable hollows for nesting/roosting, but will also nest in isolated old growth trees with suitable hollows. Always report any new records to the Natural Values Atlas, or send the information direct to the Threatened Species Section. You are directed to the Disclaimer and Copyright Notice governing the information provided on this site. The tail feathers are greyish-brown with four darker bars. Their upperparts are dark brown to pale chestnut, with white speckling. with some darker bars and fulvous-brown markings. Distribution: Tasmania, including Maria Island. The Tasmanian Masked Owl is a cryptic species, hunting at night and rarely observed during the day. ‘Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. Nestling fledge at 10-12 weeks. dens, nests, bones). Upperparts are rather dark greyish-brown, peppered with white and black spots. I hope all of you are prepared to do some serious searching since it may not be easy to spot the Tasmanian Masked Owl. Additional permits may also be required under other Acts or regulations to take, disturb or interfere with any form of wildlife or its products, (e.g.