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Having trouble identifying a bird? Hopefully, someone here can help.
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Jenn Carr's pic of an owl 5 years 8 months ago #1792

  • Bruce Terrill
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Hi Guys,
After carefully looking at Jenn's picture, I believe there is enough evidence to suggest that the bird pictured might be a Masked Owl, and if so would be a great find.
I worked daily for two and a half years at a Raptor Conservation and Education Facility outside of Ballarat and in that time we bred and trained a 'lot' of both sorts of the Owls in question.
This Owl definitely shows the brown dividing line between the eyes and the brown markings around the facial disc are a lot heavier than that of a Barn Owl.
Secondly, although both birds display basically the same coloration, this one is a lot darker than your usual Barnie and although it looks as if it has settled and is fluffed up to keep out the weather, it also appears thicker set than your normal Barn Owl.
Lastly, and this is the kicker, no Barn Owl that I have ever met has had talons as large and thick as those that this guy is displaying, they are definite Masked Owl tooth picks.
I'm only opening up this for discussion because the two birds are easily mistaken unless seen together and close up. . . opinions Guys???

With respect to Jenn's pic and I.D.
Bruce

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Jenn Carr's pic of an owl 5 years 8 months ago #1793

  • Con Boekel
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Hi Bruce
You have made some interesting points. I should start by acknowledging that I have never been confident enough to ID an Eastern Grass Owl or an Australian Masked Owl in the field. The comment about the massive nature of the foot, toes and talons of the bird in the image looks to me to be a bit of a clincher here.(I happen to have a dead Barn Owl with me to help with the ID and the foot, toes and claws are, in comparison, gracile). One consideration you have not raised is feathering along the tarsus. In this image there is little or no feathering at the lower end of the tarsus. In 'The Australian Bird Guide' the feathering is illustrated as being thick down to the toes.
regards
Con
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Jenn Carr's pic of an owl 5 years 8 months ago #1794

  • Bruce Terrill
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Hi Con,

You're right on that point also, as stated, I'm no expert.
I do remember that when you picked up/held a Barn Owl it was about the size of a skinny pigeon, whereas the masked Owl had some real muscle tone around the shoulders, it was a lot thicker bird.

Bruce

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Last edit: by Bruce Terrill.
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