Australasian Grass-Owl

About the Australasian Grass-Owl

The eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris), also known as Chinese grass owl or Australasian grass owl, is a species of owl in the family Tytonidae. They feed predominantly on small rodents. Though some authorities consider this owl to be conspecific with the African grass owl, T. capensis, other consider it to be a valid species.

The eastern grass owl is a medium-sized owl, similar in size to the barn owl. Adult males measure from 32 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) in length, while the larger females can measure from 35 to 42 cm (14 to 17 in). The wingspan is from 100 to 116 cm (39 to 46 in). The female weighs 460 g (16 oz) while the male weighs 400 g (14 oz). They have dark brown or tan upper parts with pale spots. They have black and tan bars on its wings and a very pale beak, feathered legs, and dark brown eyes. Like all Tyto owls, it has a heart-shaped facial disk with brown buff and a white bordering.

T. l. Pithecops (Swinhoe, 1866) – Taiwan. It is mainly found in the southern lowlands and foothills. Locally, it is known in Taiwanese as the “monkey-faced owl” due to its monkey-like facial appearance. The eastern grass owl's primary call is similar... Wikipedia →