Seram masked owl
| Seram masked owl | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Tytonidae |
| Genus: | Tyto |
| Species: | T. almae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tyto almae Jønsson et al., 2013
| |
The Seram masked owl (Tyto almae) is an owl species in the family Tytonidae endemic to Seram Island in Indonesia, first described in 2013. It may be a subspecies of the Moluccan masked owl.
Taxonomy
The existence of this bird was first indicated in 1987, when a photo of a Tyto sp. owl was taken by Rudi Badil and Sukianto Lusli in the Manusela National Park. The holotype of the species was caught via mist net in 2012, and formally described as a new species in 2013. The species' epithet commemorates Alma Jønsson, the daughter of Knud Andreas Jønsson, one authors of the species' description.[2]
Version 15.1 of the IOC World Bird List currently treats this bird as a subspecies of the Moluccan masked owl (Tyto sororcula).[3]
Description
Measurements are only available for the holotype whose body length was 31 cm (12 in), and weighed 540 g (19 oz). The upperparts including the most upperwing coverts are covered densely and irregularly with fuscous spots. The background is ochre-buff to orange-buff.
Status and conservation
Though no population data are available the Seram masked owl might be threatened by habitat loss. Therefore, the protection of the Manusela National Park is highly important for the long-term conservation of this species.
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Tyto almae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T62172832A113016091. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T62172832A113016091.en. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Knud Andreas Jønsson; Michael Køie Poulsen; Tri Haryoko; Andrew Hart Reeve & Pierre-Henri Fabre (2013). "A new species of masked-owl (Aves: Strigiformes: Tytonidae) from Seram, Indonesia". Zootaxa. 3635 (1): 51–61. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3635.1.5. PMID 26097930.
- ^ "Owls – IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
External links