[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Tytonidae | [latin] Tyto aurantia | [authority] Salvadori, 1881 | [UK] Bismarck Masked-owl | [FR] Effraie doree | [DE] Goldeule | [ES] Lechuza Dorada | [NL] Nieuw Britain Kerkuil
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
The genus Tyto includes all barn-owls (family Tytonidae) except for the bay-owls (subfamily Phodilinae, genus Phodilus) – that is, the true barn-owls, the grass-owls and the masked-owls collectively making up the subfamily Tytoninae. They are darker on the back than the front, usually an orange-brown colour, the front being a paler version of the back or mottled, although there is considerable variation even amongst species. Tyto owls have a divided, heart-shaped facial disc, and lack the ear-like tufts of feathers found in many other owls. Tyto owls tend to be larger than Bay-owls.
Physical charateristics
Much like other Tyto. It has a golden buffed plumage, above more dark, below less dark. The plumage is darkish mottled. Female is similar bu somewhat larger.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 27 | cm | size max.: | 33 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 0 | ||
| eggs max.: | 0 |
Range
Australasia : Bismarck Archipelago
Habitat
It appears to be a lowland forest species but one specimen was taken at 1,000 m and one bird believed to be this species was heard at 2,000 m3. The two recent sightings were in forest edge, so it may tolerate degraded forest.
Reproduction
No data
Feeding habits
No much information, one speciemen had a small rodent in its stomach.
Conservation
This very poorly known species has been reclassified as Vulnerable because there has been extensive deforestation within its range. This is thought to have caused its already small population to decline. However more observations are needed to confirm these trends and this species’s habitat requirements.
Tyto aurantia is endemic to the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. It is known from very few specimens and just two recent sightings. Tyto owls have become prehistorically extinct through unknown causes on the adjacent islands of Mussau and New Ireland3. However, as with other congeners, it is likely to be overlooked and it may prove to be not uncommon and tolerant of logged forest
Tyto aurantia is endemic to the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. It is known from very few specimens and just two recent sightings. Tyto owls have become prehistorically extinct through unknown causes on the adjacent islands of Mussau and New Ireland3. However, as with other congeners, it is likely to be overlooked and it may prove to be not uncommon and tolerant of logged forest
Migration
Presumed sedentary
Distribution map
