I think this is an Eastern Barn Owl, but awaiting confirmation:
[img] http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pViZ9svWCpU/TcaiPBdVz2I/AAAAAAAAAdo/eL1qFhtVRzo/s1600/Owlbib.jpg[/img]
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That's a lovely photo. My understanding is that there is much variation both within and between species of owl, so it can often be difficult to distinguish between Barn Owls and Masked Owls. But the location may mean that it has to be a Barn Owl - where was the photo taken?
Thanks for posting the photo.
Andy.
Hi Andy, the photo was taken just south of Alice Springs. The other variety it could be is a grass owl, but as you say, they are hard to distinguish.
I've succumbed to the birding bug!
Alice Springs, NT
Ok so not a Masked Owl.
Alice Springs must be a great place for birds. I would love to go there.
What a great photo!
Definitely Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica). Grass Owls are much darker and just look different. Masked Owls have enormous feet, a more rounded facial disc and also the disc has a darker edge. I used to have trouble telling MO and EBO apart but after a lot of reading, sightings etc the differences are quite obvious. Also the wing patters are way different between MO and EBO. well done photographing this wonderful Tytonid owl. :) I suggest have a quick browse of my Tytonid gallery here and look at the MO and EBO images to get a little more idea of distinguishing between the two species.
http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/v/ausbirds/barnowls/
Generally, the further north you are on the east coast the more difficult it is to tell MO and EBO apart (MOs become very light in the north and are darker further south), but the features I mentioned would make it easier for the trained eye.
Another nice catch Richard ...lucky you.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Great shot Richard. I love barn owls but never see them anymore. They used to always be out at night at our old place.
Cheers, Owen.
Owen
Perhaps they're still around, but you don't see them as there aren't enough food items for the owls to eat? They tend to be rather loyal to territory, though have a large one, so there could be other parts being used. When you say you used to see them, was it every single month/year etc? Or just for a period? Often, when conditions are good and there is a plague of mice (especially) Barn Owls breed like crazy time and time again, at times raising three broods in 18 months (D. Hollands personal observation) and then when food becomes scarcer (such as mouse plague ends) these owls do disperse, many dying from starvation as suddenly there are more owls than food. Just a thought. :)
Akos, I don't live at the place I see them at in Glenorie in Sydney anymore because I live in melbourne now. I used to see them weekly up there and I even saw them mating on time, but I wasn't really into birds back then, I was just a very curious kid.Í don't know of anywhere around Melbourne that I can see them so maybe I will have to do some research.
Cheers, Owen.
What a pritty looking owl. Its like a rainbow trout equivalent in birds :) Or maybe I just see it that way as I like trout.
I was born to live and I live to die.
Wow what a great find and you were able to get nice and close. I'm jealous!
I recently did a presentation and used the below image to illustrate the difference between Masked, Eastern Barn and Eastern Grass Owls. I also provide a link to a larger image.
http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/d/5327-1/Tytonid-comparison121.jpg
[img]http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/d/5329-1/Tytonid-comparison121500.jpg[/img
Sorry about the previous pane.
Would i be correct in assuming the MO and the EBO rely more on sight than hearing to hunt than the EGO? I came to that conclusion from the position of their eyes. The MO and the EBO have their eyes set in a more stereoscopic way (both facing forward). The EGO's eyes seem more to the side.
I was born to live and I live to die.
Windhover, that is one of the best posts I have seen within this forum. The comparison shots clearly show the differences. Thank you very much.
I've succumbed to the birding bug!
Alice Springs, NT
I saw one of these one night on a lamp post near my house last year..... the one and only time I have seen an owl :'(
Haven't a ... clue from the brief sighting which one it was though.
Great comparison shots AKos thanks!
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Thanks RJ et al.
Ace, all three of these owls are Tytonids, meaning they are from the Tyto family (Barn Owls family - pronounced as Tee-toe, not Tie-toe like English would suggest), which depend more on their hearing for hunting than their sight. :-)
OK got ya, Thanks Akos.
I was born to live and I live to die.