A lucky birdline contributor apparently had this owl appear in his Broadmeadows (Newcastle area) backyard: http://www.eremaea.com/sightingphotos/12/129826.jpg
I have little experience with Masked Owl and the ID has me a little confused – and I’m hoping someone might explain the finer ID points here.
The dark upper parts appear to rule out Barn Owl? What about Grass Owl?
But 2 other field marks, the facial disk shape and the leg feathering, appear to me to indicate Barn Owl.
The general appearance is bulky but given only a photograph its hard to to be sure how much is just the bird’s posture.
Andrew
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Lloyd, Thanks for the ID tip. Happy to go with the flow. I published it as Masked as claimed based mainly on the size of the talons. The face was very Barn but I figured talon size was less subjective.
Chris Charles Birdline NSW Moderator 0421 911 184
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To me too. I see no reason to think otherwise. Alan
I can’t say much about Masked Owls, having never seen more than a picture, but I have seen Barn Owls in 4 or 5 countries, and it certainly looks like a Barn Owl to me.
Eric Jeffrey Falls Church, VA USA
In a message dated 5/3/2012 8:29:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, peter.valentine@jcu.edu.au writes:
Having spotlighted 18 Barn Owls this week near Townsville, this looks like a classic Barn Owl to me.
cheers
peter
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Having spotlighted 18 Barn Owls this week near Townsville, this looks like a classic Barn Owl to me.
cheers
peter
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Hi Andrew,
This bird is certainly not a Grass Owl. However, I agree with you, why isn’t this bird an Eastern Barn Owl (rather than a Masked Owl)?
Cheers,
Nikolas