Golden Masked Owl

The Golden Masked Owl, Tyto aurantia, is a barn owl of striking appearance, endemic to New Britain in Papua New Guinea. It is also referred to by various names such as the New Britain Barn Owl, New Britain Masked Owl, Bismarck Owl, and Bismarck Masked Owl. This owl is adorned with a plumage of brown, light-brown, and white, crowned by its most notable feature—a heart-shaped, luminous white face. Adult individuals typically weigh between 0.9 to 1.7 pounds and measure from 10.6 to 12.9 inches in height.

Identification Tips

To identify the Golden Masked Owl, look for its distinctive white facial disc, which is heart-shaped and contrasts with its darker body plumage. The size of the bird can also be a helpful indicator, as it falls within a specific range.

Habitat

The Golden Masked Owl is believed to favor lowland forests or coniferous habitats within its island home.

Distribution

This species is confined to the island of New Britain, part of Papua New Guinea.

Behaviour

The Golden Masked Owl is a solitary and nocturnal bird, with a remarkable sense of hearing that aids in its nightly activities. It is a carnivorous predator, primarily hunting its prey on the ground.

Breeding

Nesting within hollow trees, the Golden Masked Owl lays an average clutch of 2 to 3 eggs. The female incubates these eggs for approximately 32 days, during which the nest also provides protection from predators such as eagles, hawks, and larger owls. After hatching, the owlets remain dependent on their parents for roughly 80 days.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Golden Masked Owl consists mainly of small mammals, including rodents and rabbits, as well as other birds and insects.

Conservation status

The Golden Masked Owl is currently classified as Vulnerable. Its population, estimated to be between 2,500 to 9,999 individuals, is experiencing a downward trend, primarily due to habitat loss. The forests of New Britain, which are critical to the owl's survival, are under threat from deforestation driven by infrastructure projects, agricultural expansion, and commercial logging.