The Seram masked owl (''Tyto almae'') is an owl species in the family
Tytonidae endemic to
Seram Island
Seram (formerly spelled Ceram; also Seran or Serang) is the largest and main island of Maluku province of Indonesia, despite Ambon Island's historical importance. It is located just north of the smaller Ambon Island and a few other adjacent ...
in Indonesia. After being first brought to the attention of the world from a photograph taken during an expedition by Rudi Badil and Sukianto Lusli in the
Manusela National Park in Seram in 1987 the
holotype
A holotype is a single physical example (or illustration) of an organism, known to have been used when the species (or lower-ranked taxon) was formally described. It is either the single such physical example (or illustration) or one of seve ...
was
mist-netted on 10 February 2012 and this species was formally described in 2013. The species' epithet commemorates Alma Jønsson, the daughter of Knud Andreas Jønsson, one of the describers of the Seram masked owl.
Description
Measurements are only available for the holotype whose body length was 31 cm, and weighed 540 g. The upperparts including the most upperwing coverts are covered densely and irregularly with fuscous spots. The background is ochre-buff to orange-buff.
Status and conservation
Though no population data are available the Seram masked owl might be threatened by habitat loss. Therefore, the protection of the Manusela National Park is highly important for the long-term conservation of this species.
References
*
External links
Entry in the Oriental Bird Club Image Database
Seram masked owl
Birds of Seram
Endemic fauna of Seram Island
Seram masked owl
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