Greater Sooty Owl

Greater Sooty Owl


Names
Common Name:	Greater Sooty Owl
Scientific Name:	Tyto tenebricosa
Appearance
large dark eyes are set in a round large facial disk. The facial disk is dark gray-silver or sooty black (changing with age) and has a heavy black edge. The upper part of the owl is black to dark gray and the under part is lighter
Behavior
Sooty Owls are territorial and are thought to remain in the same area throughout their adult lives.

The Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa), also known as the Greater Sooty Owl, is a medium to large owl found in south-eastern Australia, Montane rainforests of New Guinea and have been seen on Flinders Island in the Bass Strait. They are sometimes called Black Owls or Dusky Barn Owls. The Lesser Sooty Owl (T. multipunctata), is sometimes considered to belong to this species. It is substantially smaller and occurs in the wet tropics region of North Queensland, Australia.

Information[]

Description[]

They have a finely white spotted head with scattered white spots on the wings. The females are lighter colored than the males. The large dark eyes are set in a round large facial disk. The facial disk is dark gray-silver or sooty black (changing with age) and has a heavy black edge. The upper part of the owl is black to dark gray and the under part is lighter. The tail is short and the legs are feathered. The feet and talons are large. They are the second largest Tyto owl, surpassed only by the Tasmanian Masked Owl. Greater Sooty Owls have the most pronounced reversed sexual dimorphism of any owl species in the world, meaning the females are larger and heavier. The females length is 41–51 cm (16-20 in)and weighs 750-1200 gm (1.65 to 2.65 lb). The male is smaller in length at 37–43 cm (15-17 in) and weighs 500-700 gm (1.1 to 1.5 lb). The wing length is 30–40 cm. Sooty owls have a distinctive range of calls including typical barn owl like rasps and screams, a distinctive "falling bomb" call and an insect like twitter used during close contact with other Sooty Owls. Their main call is a piercing shriek which can last up to two seconds.

Ecology[]

Sooty Owls are nocturnal and roost in large tree hollows, caves and in dense foliage during daylight hours. Rarely seen or heard they can be found in areas with deep gullies in moist forests, where smooth-barked gum trees, tree ferns and wet forest understory are present. They may hunt in drier areas, but usually roost and breed in the moister areas. They are found in south-eastern Australia and New Guinea.

In series, they are found in Tyto and Silverveil.

Diet[]

Mammals ranging from large arboreal marsupials such as the Greater Glider, through Ringtail Possums and Sugar Gliders to bandicoots, rodents, and antechinus comprise the most common items in the Sooty Owl diet. They also occasionally take birds, bats and insects.

Reproduction[]

The nest is in a large hollow tree or a cave. The female roosts in the nest for several weeks before she lays one or two dull white eggs. Usually nesting commences from January through June but could occur at almost any time of the year depending on location and climatic conditions. The incubation time is 42 days. The males brings food to the female who rarely leaves the nest. The young are born with dull grey down and can fly in three months. The young remain dependent on the parents for an extended period after fledging. Their lifespan is unknown. They are territorial and sedentary throughout the year. Sooty Owls are territorial and are thought to remain in the same area throughout their adult lives.

Significant Greater Sooty Owls[]

History[]

The Burning[]

Dustytuft is lamenting his lot in life, what with Sooty Owls getting the worst jobs. However, being a Greater Sooty Owl was still better than being a Lesser Sooty Owl. When he spots the Guardians, he almost goes yeep, but manages to fly back and warn the Pure Ones.

The Hatchling[]

Dustytuft was allowed to become friends with Nyroc. They eventually left together to find answers. Phillip told Nyroc his life story, the truth about Kludd, and what he knew about the Guardians. He also asked if Nyroc would call him by his old name: Phillip. Later they were caught by Nyra and her troops. She had Phillip tied to a tree so Nyroc could perform his Tupsi. When Nyroc refused, Nyra ripped out Phillip's heart. With his dying breath, Phillip told Nyroc to run.

The Rise of a Legend[]

Cadet Gabi Tyto-Ten was being bullied and beaten by Ifghar, Gragg, and two other owls. The wound could be repaired, but she wouldn't be able to fly in some time.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole[]

Surtr was the leader of the Pure Ones. During the Battle of the Ice Claws, he lost the top half of his beak in a fight against Lyze of Kiel. He reappeared many years later, now calling himself Metal Beak. He made a deal with Allomere to capture the Guardians. Later, he and the Pure Ones had great a battle against the Guardians. The battle culminated with him and his mate Nyra working together to fight Ezylryb. Soren arrived to fight against Metal Beak with a burning branch. In his rage to kill the young barn owl, Metal Beak flew into the branch, impaling himself.