Hi birders
I believe that the reported Masked Owl from Broadmeadow is in fact an Eastern Barn Owl based on a number of different features.
The plumage of the wing is very similar to all the EBOs I have observed and photographed. Masked Owls appear to have, what I call, more “chequered” plumage of the wings.
The shape of the facial disc is hard to tell when the owl is roosting, as Tytonid owls seem to pull their faces into these odd, almost triangular shapes. However, there should be darker markings near the front of the eyes towards the bill, albeit that is rather variable.
A great identifying feature which I just learned from Matthew Stanton after a telephone discussion is the white spots with the dark outlines on the owls’ wings. In the Broadmeadow Owl the white spots have a dark outline with a distinct black spot near the top. In a Masked Owl the black spot is very diffused.
Matthew and I also agreed that the legs/feet look small and he also said that the feathering should go further down the leg towards the feet. Another distinct EBO feature is the grey crown – visible, albeit not so well in the Birdline photo.
So according to my expert friend the owl does indeed appear to be a roosting Eastern Barn Owl.
Nevertheless, an awesome bird to roost in one’s backyard.
Just for comparison, here is a link to my Tytonid owl gallery (sorry, more EBO than MO on show).
http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/v/ausbirds/barnowls/
Best regards and happy birding…
Akos
