Sulawesi Owl

Sulawesi Owl
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Animalia
Subkingdom	Bilateria
Branch	Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Infraphylum	Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass	Tetrapoda
Class	Aves
Sub-class	Neornithes
Infra-class	Neoaves
Order Information
Order	Strigiformes
Family Information
Family	Tytonidae
Sub-family	Tytoninae
Genus Information
Genus	Tyto
Species Information
Species	T. rosenbergii
Population statistics
Conservation status	Least concern[1]

The Sulawesi owl (Tyto rosenbergii) is a species of barn owl native to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Description[edit]

The Sulawesi owl is one of the larger members of the barn owl family; approximately eighteen inches long, with a wingspan of just over two feet. Females are larger than males. They are blackish-grey above, with some pale chestnut areas on the scapulas and the upper-wing coverts. The flight feathers are a dark brownish grey, barred in a pale chestnut. The underparts are a light tan with small black spots; the lower belly to the legs are cream-colored. The facial disk is a greyish-white, with the disk surrounded by a reddish-brown, distinctive rim. A tan or brown wash surrounds the dark eyes.

Females have similar plumage, but darker, with more spots.

Habits[edit]

The owls prefer open forested areas with access to clear fields and grasslands; farmsteads and man-man clearings are also preferred. They can be found from sea level to 3,600 feet elevation. By day they seek out dense foliage, caves, cavities, or other areas in which to conceal themselves.

Sulawesi owls hunt small mammals, birds, lizards, and insects. The prey items are swallowed whole, with the hair, feathers, and bones regurgitated later as a pellet, which are found below their nesting sites.

References[edit]