Found a great post today, a Tasmanian Masked Owl!
They are the largest Tyto (Barn) Owl, and also the second biggest owl of Australia after the Powerful Owl.
I think the masked owls are very beautiful, so I hope you enjoy!
From Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Meet “Idun” the Tasmanian Masked Owl!
Our 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Service received a call for ldun earlier this week when a member of the public spotted him stuck atop their roof early in the morning. Upon closer investigation it was clear that Idun’s talons had become stuck in wire mesh covering the roof gutter and he was unable to free himself.
A complicated rescue followed, with huge thanks to De Groot Roof Painting who immediately leapt into action to help out! Vincent came to the rescue and managed to use his roof painting equipment and skills to safely remove ldun from the mesh.
Idun arrived at Bonorong Wildlife Hospital shortly after to be assessed by our specialist veterinary team.
Although he seemed to be tired from his ordeal, it appeared he had escaped without any severe injuries, and thorough examination under anaesthetic thankfully revealed no serious wounds or fractures. Idun suffered some soft tissue trauma and inflammation on the foot that had been trapped, likely from repeated effort to free himself. Fortunately, these are treatable injuries - Idun was very lucky to avoid serious injury from his entanglement.
Idun has now gone into the specialist care of a very experienced raptor rehabilitator who will monitor him carefully while he returns to full strength. Hopefully, after a short period in care, he will be ready for release!
Sadly, the Tasmanian Masked Owl is listed as an endangered species. This is primarily due to habitat loss, which stems from deforestation and urbanization. As human activities encroach upon their natural habitats, these magnificent owls struggle to find suitable nesting sites and hunting grounds. Additionally, competition with invasive species, particularly feral cats, poses a significant threat to their survival.
The story is great, and I’m glad he wasn’t hurt, but my first thought when seeing the picture was “toasted marshmallow barn owl” lmao! What a beautiful owl
That is exactly what I think of with these guys and the other similar Tyto owls! It makes me think of all the joy of being outdoors and trying to get close to nature, since that is pretty much the only time we roast marshmallows. It just conjures so many sights, sounds, and smells in my head.