Wildlife to Witness: Philippine Grass Owl

The Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris), or Australian Grass Owl is a species of owl in the Tytonidae family. It is found in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Though some authorities consider this owl to be conspecific with the African Grass Owl, T. capensis, other consider it to be a valid species.

They feed predominantly on small rodents.

Description: The Eastern Grass Owl is a medium-sized owl of 14-15" female, and 12.5-14" male. They're wingspan is an average 45.5" male and female. The female weighs 16oz. while the male weighs 14oz. 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.

Call: The Eastern Grass Owls primary call is like many other tyto owls. A loud, hissing screech but the grass owl's screech is louder than a barn's but quieter than a masked owl's.

Hunting: Although this species hunting is little known, the most common prey is the long-haired rat and the cane rat.

Habitat: Due to the grass owls adaptation skills, this owl prefers tall grasslands and swamps since it's adaptation to walking on the land in tall grass.

Distribution: Eastern Grass Owls live in the northeastern section of Australia, parts of New Guinea, southeast Asia and India. It has also been found in the Coastal islands.

Source: Wikipedia