Masked Owl Kambah (warning deceased images)

["Steve Read via Canberrabirds " <>]

And my son also advises that this is a Masked Owl. The Bullen Range might be the closest area of continuous forest, and the connection to the higher country?

Steve

On Tue, 13 Oct 2026 at 10:10 pm, Philip Veerman via Canberrabirds <> wrote:

Hi Manuela,

From the photos, surely that has to be a Masked Owl. Yes, it is a rarity.
Steve Wilson's book mentions only one record (11/3/1960). At 400 grams, it
is rather underweight for a Masked Owl (according to HANZAB). But also too
heavy for a normal Barn Owl. Even being dead, I suspect the record should go
to the rarities panel so it can go on the record. I would expect the
specimen should be donated to the Australian National Wildlife Collection.
Although these are just my opinions.

Oh, and you wrote in Kambah.......I wonder where. That is a surprise.

Philip


-----Original Message-----
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Manuela Benson via Canberrabirds
Sent: Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 4:11 PM
To: Canberrabirds list <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Masked Owl Kambah (warning deceased images)

Hi all
Can you confirm this Masked Owl please

Dark barring under primary feathers, and distinctly orange face and under
upper wing. 400 grams, large bird, extremely chunky feet and feathering
along tibiotarsus.

I am an experienced bird assessor/carer with ACTWILDLIFE , but have never
seen one of these before (plenty of Barn Owls have passed through my hands)

Sadly they were deceased on arrival when I was called out to rescue this
morning:(

Thought you may be interested, Kim suggested I post pics to the group as
there have not been many sightings in Canberra?

Manuela





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