Eastern Grass Owl - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Tyto longimembris

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 21 Jun 2018

Description

The Eastern Grass Owl is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird (35 cm) with a facial disc typical of the Tyto owls. The upperparts are dark brown, buff and yellow-orange, with fine silvery spots. Underparts are white in the male, and buffy in the larger female, with sparse dark spots. The long legs are mostly bare and in flight protrude well beyond the tail, distinguishing the Eastern Grass Owl from the similar Barn Owl. When roosting the posture is tall and upright. The main call is similar to a Barn Owl - a hoarse, wavering reedy screech ‘ sk-air’ or ‘skee-air’. They also use a thin, quavering whistle that can be heard by clicking the icon above. [Note: The Grass Owl T. capensis has been split into two species and the Australian species is now known as the Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris.]

Distribution

Eastern Grass Owls have been recorded occasionally in all mainland states of Australia but are most common in northern and north-eastern Australia. In NSW they are more likely to be resident in the north-east. Eastern Grass Owl numbers can fluctuate greatly, increasing especially during rodent plagues.

Habitat and ecology

Eastern Grass Owls are found in areas of tall grass, including grass tussocks, in swampy areas, grassy plains, swampy heath, and in cane grass or sedges on flood plains.
They rest by day in a ‘form’ - a trampled platform in a large tussock or other heavy vegetative growth.
If disturbed they burst out of cover, flying low and slowly, before dropping straight down again into cover.
Always breeds on the ground. Nests are found in trodden grass, and often accessed by tunnels through vegetation.
Breeding season is highly variable and dependent on environmental conditions, but in NSW nesting most typically occurs in autumn or winter.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of suitable habitat due to grazing, agriculture and development.
Habitat disturbance and degradation by stock.
Use of pesticides in agriculture to control rodent populations thereby limiting seasonal food sources for owls, reducing reproductive potential, and potentially poisoning owls.
Frequent burning, which reduces ground cover needed for safe roosting and nesting, and can reduce prey abundance.
Poor understanding of the ecology of inland populations.
Interacting effects of habitat degradation and increasing prevalence of invasive species.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Protect Eastern Grass Owl habitat from fire.
Identify, retain and protect areas of suitable habitat.
Reduce the use of pesticides where Eastern Grass Owls are known to be present.
Fence off areas of suitable habitat and known nesting sites to prevent degradation by stock.

Information sources

Garnett, S. (ed) (1997) Threatened and Extinct Birds of Australia 2nd ed. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union Report No. 82. Moonee Ponds, Victoria.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C. (1988) Complete Book of Australian Birds. Second edition. (Reader's Digest, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Northern Outwash	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Grass Owl. Its cricket-like call can be played above (with the call of a Spotted Marsh Frog accompanying)
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species