Australian Masked-Owl

1. Exceptionally powerful, densely feathered legs and feet with large talons-much stronger than similar-looking Barn Owls

2. Three morphs, pale, intermediate and dark .

3. Heart-shaped facial disc with a dark rim and prominent dark areas around the bill and below the eyesLoud, shrill, rasping screech or scream, often given once after dusk when leaving the nest site

Masked Owls feed mainly on small mammals such as rodents, rabbits, bandicoots, and possums, but also take reptiles, birds, and insects. They hunt primarily on the ground, either from low perches or in direct flight over open ground, and may also capture prey in trees or mid-air. Breeding can occur at any time of year when conditions are favourable, but most eggs are laid between April and November, with fledging in December in southern regions. They nest in deep tree hollows, caves, or rock crevices, with the female incubating 2–3 eggs while the male provides food. Young owls remain in the nest for 2–3 months and are fed by parents for an additional month after fledging. Several subspecies are listed as endangered or vulnerable, particularly in Tasmania and northern Australia.

Masked Owls are found in a broad coastal band around most of mainland Australia and throughout Tasmania, typically within 3 km of the coast. They inhabit forests, woodlands, timbered waterways, and open country near these habitats, requiring tall trees with large hollows for nesting and roosting, and adjacent open areas for foraging. Pairs are territorial and remain in or near their territory year-round. They are most active at dusk and during the night, making them difficult to observe.