Australasian Grass-Owl — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideAustralasian Grass-Owl

Reclusive and rarely seen owl of cane fields, meadows, and other areas with tall grassy cover.

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⚠️VIC: Vulnerable

🚫Sensitive species — location data may be restricted

At a glance

FamilyBarn-Owls

SizeMedium

RarityUncommon

HabitatHabitat This owl prefers tall grasslands and swamps.

Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from June to January.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Lim Ying Hien 林勇贤

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

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Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Tan-brown overall with black, white, and orange mottling on the wings. Flies low over grassy areas, primarily during dawn and dusk, often with long legs dangling. Heart-shaped facial disk, very similar to Barn Owl and Masked Owls.

Behavior

Nests in dense fields; fluffy owlets often exposed during harvesting season in agricultural areas.

Gallery

Regional timing

Victoria

Peak: August53 records

Queensland

Peak: June to January888 records

Western Australia

Peak: February184 records

New South Wales

Peak: June to November237 records

South Australia

Peak: September5 records

Northern Territory

Peak: October43 records

Commonly confused with

Australian Masked-OwlTyto novaehollandiaeVariable in size and color, ranging from larger, browner birds in Tasmania through to smaller, paler birds in northwestern Australia. This species is generally larger, darker, larger-legged, and more heavily spotted than Barn Owl.→Sooty OwlTyto tenebricosaIts pale feet seem too large for its body. The northern subspecies is smaller and paler.→