Andaman masked owl
The Andaman masked owl (Tyto deroepstorffi) is a barn owl endemic to the southern Andaman Islands archipelago of India. While some consider it a subspecies of the common barn owl, it is recognized by others as a distinct species, notably lacking the greyish facial veil found in other races of Tyto alba or Tyto javanica. Its plumage is a striking dark reddish-brown above, with a pale facial disc and a more yellowish torso than its common relative.
Key Facts
- ›Endemic to the southern Andaman Islands archipelago of India.
- ›Distinctive feature is the lack of a greyish facial veil.
- ›Plumage is dark reddish-brown above with buffish-orange speckling.
- ›Facial disc is pale, reddish-buff with an orange-brown margin.
- ›Feeds primarily on small rodents like mice and rats.
- ›Nocturnal, emerging at dusk to hunt.
Andaman Barn Owl
Coastal Plain, Fields With Trees, Gardens With Trees, Human Settlements
Andaman Islands
Small Rodents, Mice, Rats
About Andaman masked owl
The Andaman Masked Owl
The Andaman masked owl (Tyto deroepstorffi), also known as the Andaman barn owl, is a species of owl native to the southern Andaman Islands archipelago in the Indian Ocean. While some ornithologists consider it a subspecies of the widespread common barn owl (Tyto alba), others recognize it as a distinct species. A key characteristic that sets it apart is the absence of the greyish facial veil, speckled with black and white, which is a prominent feature in other races of Tyto alba and Tyto javanica.
Description and Characteristics
Adult Andaman masked owls typically measure between 30 and 36 cm in length from head to tail. Their upper plumage is predominantly a dark reddish-brown, with occasional speckling of buffish-orange. The torso is noted to be more yellowish compared to the common barn owl. The facial disc is a pale reddish-buff color, bordered by a distinctive orange-brown margin. Their eyes are blackish, and their beak is creamy-white. The breast is a golden-brown hue adorned with blackish spots, which gradually fade towards the belly, revealing a whitish underside. The legs are covered in feathers right down to the feet, and their toes are greyish-pink, tipped with purplish-grey claws.
Distribution and Ecology
This owl is exclusively found in the southern Andaman Islands. Its preferred habitats include coastal plains, areas with fields and gardens that contain trees, and human settlements. It is believed to be a non-migratory species, residing within its range throughout the year. The Andaman masked owl is nocturnal, meaning it is active during the night. During daylight hours, it roosts, emerging at dusk to hunt. Its diet primarily consists of small rodents, with evidence from regurgitated pellets indicating a preference for mice and rats. Details regarding its nesting habits and breeding behavior are not well-documented, though it is presumed to nest in cavities, similar to other related owl species.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the Andaman masked owl?
The scientific name of the Andaman masked owl is Tyto deroepstorffi. It was named by Allan Octavian Hume after Frederik Adolph de Roepstorff, the collector who obtained the specimen.
Where is the Andaman masked owl found?
This owl is exclusively found in the southern Andaman Islands archipelago, which is part of India and located in the Bay of Bengal. It inhabits coastal plains, fields, gardens with trees, and human settlements.
How does the Andaman masked owl differ from the common barn owl?
A key distinguishing feature of the Andaman masked owl is that it lacks the greyish veil, speckled with black and white, that is present in other races of the common barn owl (Tyto alba) or eastern barn owl (Tyto javanica). It also has a more yellowish torso than the common barn owl.
What does the Andaman masked owl eat?
The diet of the Andaman masked owl consists mainly of small rodents. Evidence for this comes from the bones of mice and rats found in regurgitated pellets discovered beneath their roosting sites.
What is the physical appearance of the Andaman masked owl?
The Andaman masked owl is almost uniformly dark reddish-brown above, with some buffish-orange speckling. Its facial disc is pale reddish-buff with a distinctive orange-brown margin, and its eyes are blackish. The breast is golden-brown with blackish spots, and the belly is whitish.
Is the Andaman masked owl migratory?
The Andaman masked owl is not thought to be migratory. It is known to reside within the southern Andaman Islands year-round.
Related Owl species
Banggai scops owl
The Banggai scops owl is a species of scops owl native to Banggai Island in Indonesia. Previously classified as a subspecies of the Sulawesi scops owl, it was recognized as a distinct species in 2021. Its specific ecological role and distinctiveness are still being fully understood.
Mentawai scops owl
The Mentawai scops owl (Otus mentawi) is a species of scops owl endemic to the larger islands of the Mentawai Islands, located off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Its specific geographic isolation has led to its unique status as a distinct owl species.
Minahasa masked owl
The Minahasa masked owl is a species of barn owl endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Named for the Minahassa Peninsula where it was first identified, this owl is adapted to life in deep, undisturbed rainforests, with its survival increasingly reliant on montane forests due to lowland habitat destruction.