Photo: Ronny Overhate / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Owls

Eastern Grass Owl

Tyto longimembris

Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) — Owls of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 16 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of Indonesia Birds of India Birds of Malaysia Birds of the Philippines Birds of Thailand Birds of New South Wales Birds of Northern Territory Birds of Queensland Birds of South Australia

By family

Owls of Australia Owls of Indonesia Owls of India Owls of Malaysia Owls of the Philippines Owls of Thailand

See what's near you right now

The Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) is a member of the Tytonidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 424 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Strigiformes
Family Tytonidae Barn Owls
Genus Tyto
Species longimembris

Where it lives

Eastern India to eastern China, Philippines, Taiwan, Sulawesi, southeastern New Guinea, northern, northeastern Australia and New Caledonia

Quick facts

Weight: 424 g
Diet: Vertebrate hunters
Family: Tytonidae
Order: Strigiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

African Grass Owl

Tyto capensis

Least Concern

Sulawesi Masked Owl

Tyto rosenbergii

Not Evaluated

Moluccan Masked Owl

Tyto sororcula

Least Concern

Australian Masked Owl

Tyto novaehollandiae

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Eastern Grass Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Eastern Grass Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) is a member of the Tytonidae family, within the order Strigiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU e India to e China, Philippines, Taiwan, Sulawesi, se New Guinea, n, ne Australia and New Caledonia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 424 g, with a wing length of about 31.3 cm and a tail of around 11.6 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 4.3 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Eastern Grass Owl?

The Eastern Grass Owl is a large bird that weighs around 424 g.

Where does the Eastern Grass Owl live?

The Eastern Grass Owl is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU e India to e China, Philippines, Taiwan, Sulawesi, se New Guinea, n, ne Australia and New Caledonia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Eastern Grass Owl belong to?

The Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) belongs to the Tytonidae family, in the order Strigiformes.

What does the Eastern Grass Owl eat?

The Eastern Grass Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Does the Eastern Grass Owl migrate?

The Eastern Grass Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Eastern Grass Owl endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Eastern Grass Owl's range?

The Eastern Grass Owl has a mapped global range of about 4.3 million km².