The Manus masked owl is a barn owl endemic to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands. Some authors consider it a subspecies of Australian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae).
Region
Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs across Manus Island and nearby islets, favoring lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. It uses tall trees for roosting and nesting and will forage along clearings, tracks, and village margins. Coconut plantations and mixed agroforestry mosaics are also used where prey is abundant. The owl typically roosts in dense foliage or cavities during the day. Human-altered habitats can be used provided there are mature trees and sufficient prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This island owl is restricted to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands and is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the Australian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae). It depends on large tree hollows for nesting, making it sensitive to logging. Like other Tyto owls, it flies almost silently and hunts largely by sound. It likely benefits locally from abundant rodents around villages and plantations.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
silent flier with deep, steady wingbeats and short glides between perches
Social Behavior
Typically monogamous, forming long-term pairs that defend nesting territories. Nests are placed in large tree hollows or cavities and are reused when available. The female incubates while the male provisions food, and fledglings remain near the nest area for weeks after leaving.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are dominated by harsh, prolonged screeches and rasping screams, especially at night near the nest. Also gives hisses, chittering calls, and bill snaps in agitation. Calls carry well through forest edges and clearings.
Plumage
Upperparts dark brown to blackish with fine white speckling; underparts buff to rufous with variable dark spots. The facial disc is heart-shaped and pale, bordered by a darker rim giving a masked appearance. Legs are fully feathered down to the toes.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small mammals such as rats and mice, but also takes small birds, lizards, and large insects. Hunting is primarily from perches, dropping or gliding onto prey detected by sound. It may exploit commensal rodents around villages and plantations, especially at night. Prey is swallowed whole or torn into pieces at a perch.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, tracks, and open understory where flight is unobstructed. Frequently hunts around coconut groves, gardens, and settlement margins where rodents are common. Mature forest with nearby openings provides optimal conditions.
