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Between 1998 and 2000 I spent a lot of time on the eastern Cape York Peninsula, particularly around Lakefield NP, while conducting research on finches. While in the area I saw a lot of owls, most of which were easily identifiable- some less so. On this page are 2 odd owls that I had trouble with. Both owls refused to fly, remaining at their chosen perches for the whole time I was with them- unlike all the clear Barn Owls that I saw in the area.
Could they be the Cape York Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae galei? This subspecies of uncertain status wasn't accepted by HANZAB, partly because of the lack of information about it. Mason (1983) gave more information than anyone about its appearance- apparently all the specimens of it are tucked away in the drawers of overseas museums.
It is reported to be small and less heavily built than the other forms of the Masked Owl, including the northern T.n.kimberli and the New Guinea birds. Pale in colour it has less feathered legs than the other Masked Owls.
REFERENCE
Mason, I. J. (1983). "A new subspecies
of Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae (Stephens) from southern New Guinea." Bulletin
of the British Ornithological Club 103(4): 123-128.
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
This owl intrigued me for a number of reasons including:
1. Reasonably well feathered legs (more so than most Barn owls, but not so much as your average Masked Owl).
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
2. Solid, hunched stance, silvery pattern to the back but not the same as that of most of the photos of T.n.kimberli that I have seen.
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
3. Dark lower edge to the mask and golden rim to the upper edge of the mask which is fairly broad in appearance.
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
Tyto Owl 1 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
Tyto Owl 2 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
This owl was clearly more gracile than owl 1. Its mask wasn't as well defined, although it did usually appear broad in shape.
Tyto Owl 2 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD.
The silvery pattern on the back is interesting.
Tyto Owl 2 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
The feathering on the legs becomes very sparse towards the base of the legs.
Tyto Owl 2 Tyto sp., Laura, QLD
So, are they T.n. kimberlii (the currently accepted northern subspecies of Masked Owl), T.n. galei (the Cape York Masked Owl) or T. alba (Barn Owls)?
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Wildlifing- Michael Todd- Australia
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