Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Golden Masked Owl
Tyto aurantia
Golden Masked Owl (Tyto aurantia) — Owls of Australia & Oceania.
The Golden Masked Owl (Tyto aurantia) is a member of the Tytonidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 540 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Tytonidae Barn Owls
- Genus Tyto
- Species aurantia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 540 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Tytonidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Golden Masked Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Golden Masked Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Golden Masked Owl (Tyto aurantia) belongs to the Tytonidae family of the order Strigiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 540 g, with a wing length of about 22.6 cm and a tail of around 10.2 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 35,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Golden Masked Owl?
The Golden Masked Owl is a large bird that weighs around 540 g.
Where does the Golden Masked Owl live?
The Golden Masked Owl is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU New Britain (se Bismarck Arch.), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Golden Masked Owl belong to?
The Golden Masked Owl (Tyto aurantia) belongs to the Tytonidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Golden Masked Owl eat?
The Golden Masked Owl preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Golden Masked Owl migrate?
The Golden Masked Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Golden Masked Owl endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Golden Masked Owl's range?
The Golden Masked Owl has a mapped global range of about 35,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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