Australian Grass Owl

Australian Grass Owl Latest News

A rare sighting of an Australian Grass Owl at Maguri Motapung Beel in Assam’s Tinsukia district has excited birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts  recently.

About Australian Grass Owl

• Australian grass owl, also known as the Eastern grass owl, is an elusive species of owl in the family Tytonidae. 
• Scientific Name: Tyto longimembris 

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Australian Grass Owl Habitat and Distribution

• It lives in eastern, southern and southeast Asia, parts of New Guinea, Australia (mainly in Queensland) and the western Pacific. 
• It has also been found in the coastal islands.  
• It prefers grassland habitat, including savanna, floodplains and agricultural fields.  
• One of the most remarkable aspects of this species is its preference for roosting and nesting on the ground, a behavior uncommon among owls. 
• The owl constructs its nest amidst tall grass, meticulously hidden from view.  

Australian Grass Owl Features

• It is a medium-sized, rather slim owl with long slender legs that are sparsely feathered. 
• Adult males measure from 32 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) in length, while the larger females can measure from 35 to 42 cm (14 to 17 in).  
• The wingspan is from 100 to 116 cm (39 to 46 in).  
• The heart-shaped facial disc is white in the male and pale orange buff with dark speckles in the female. It is outlined by a narrow pale ruff with dark edging at the bottom.  
• The eyes are relatively small (for an owl) and have buff and black ‘tear’ marks below them. 
• The upper parts of the owl are chocolate and buff while the underparts are pale, flushed orange-buff and highly spotted. 

Australian Grass Owl Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

Key Facts about Maguri Motapung Beel

• It is a large freshwater wetland located near the Motapung village of Assam’s Tinsukia district.
• It is located in the south bank of the Dibru River, which is a channel of the mighty Brahmaputra River.
• The Beel is connected to the Dibru River by a system of channels and is very rich in aquatic life. 
• The wetland, spread over an area of 9.6 sq.km. was declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 1996.  
• The lake supports approximately 110 species of birds and a large human population, most of whom depend on fishing for a livelihood. 
• It is a major stopover for wintering migratory birds.  It hosts species like the Greater Adjutant Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, and various migratory waterfowls during winter months. 

News: IT