Tyto deroepstorffi
The Andaman Masked Owl, *Tyto deroepstorffi*, is a medium-sized, enigmatic barn owl endemic to the remote Andaman Islands. It measures approximately 30-38 cm in length with a wingspan of 75-85 cm, characterized by its striking facial disc and rich plumage. Upperparts are dark reddish-brown, finely spotted and streaked with black and buff, providing excellent camouflage within its forested habitat. The underparts are paler, buffy-white, often marked with dark spots or barring, especially on th...
Found in a variety of forested habitats, including evergreen and deciduous forests, forest clearings, and sometimes near human settlements, generally at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily preys on small mammals such as rodents and bats, supplementing its diet with small birds, reptiles, and large insects. It is an opportunistic hunter, adapting its diet to the availability of prey.
Strictly nocturnal, the Andaman Masked Owl spends its days roosting silently in dense foliage, tree hollows, or occasionally abandoned structures, emerging at dusk to hunt. It is a formidable aerial predator, employing acute hearing and exceptional night vision to locate prey in complete darkness...
The Andaman Masked Owl is strictly endemic to the Andaman Islands, an archipelago situated in the Bay of Bengal, an integral part of India. Its known distribution spans across the main islands, including South Andaman, Middle Andaman, and North Andaman Islands. This species is non-migratory, main...
Data Deficient
- The Andaman Masked Owl is a true island endemic, found nowhere else in the world except the remote Andaman Islands of India. - Its precise taxonomic relationship to other barn owls, particularly the Australian Masked Owl and Eastern Barn Owl, has been a subject of scientific debate, highlightin...