Golden Masked-Owl Tyto aurantia

A little-known golden-buff barn-owl from New Britain. Note the dark heart-shaped border to the rich buff face. Underparts golden-buff with bold dark spots. Crown, nape, and upperparts darker, heavily blotched with black markings, buff areas, and white spotting. Inhabits forests both in lowlands and hills, but also recorded from plantations. Barn Owl also occurs, but note Golden Masked-Owl’s significantly darker upperside, golden-buff coloration, and bold spotting underneath. Vocalizations not confirmed, but wheezes, a long rising whistle, and a “ka-ka” have been reported.