TWC - Owls
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I was asked by Team Wiser than Owls to create a cache for the Whittlesea Mega, and I thought why not make a puzzle about owls.
The order Strigiformes contains two families of owls – Tytonidae (Barn Owls – 20 Species) and Strigidae (“Typical” Owls – 228 species). Both families occur in Australia – 5 Barn Owls plus 6 breeding strigids (plus a few vagrants). Owl taxonomy is ever changing with new species split from existing species or discovered on small islands – they are often first recognised by differences in call. The most recent described (2017) is the Santa Marta Screech Owl from north west Colombia. There are a number of extinct species including the Laughing Owl which was endemic to New Zealand.
Below are some interesting species from around the world (information from Handbook of the Birds of the World – Volume 5 Barn-owls to Hummingbirds).
A. Ninox novaeseelandiae
Long considered the same species as the Boobooks in Australia, it has recently been considered that it is now restricted to New Zealand and Tasmania. There was an extinct subspecies on Lord Howe Island, and males from New Zealand were introduced to breed with the last female on Norfolk Island. A smaller species (around 30cm) that feeds on insects and small vertebrates; it lives in a wide range of habitats.
B. Ninox strenua
The largest owl in Australia (up to 60cm) where it occurs between south eastern Queensland through to SE South Australia. It prefers wetter forests, but can survive in urban areas such as Sydney and Melbourne where it can be found roosting with previous nights prey (including possums, flying-foxes and cockatoos) during the day.
C. Strix aluco
A medium sized owl (around 38cm) found in Europe and the Middle East. It occurs in a wide range of habitats including farmlands and parks where it feeds on small mammals and birds. This is “owl sound” that you often hear in movies.
D. Tyto longimembris
This species is adapted to living on the ground more often than many other owls – it nests in grasslands and heaths and has a very upright stance. There are a number of subspecies extending from India to eastern Australia. It is a specialised rodent (and in Australia) marsupial hunter.
E. Tyto inexspectata
A mid-sized barn owl (around 30cm) with a highly restricted distribution – the northern part of Sulawesi in central Indonesia. Like many island endemics it is very poorly known but is believed to live in lowland and hill forests.
F. Megascops kennicottii
A small owl (up to 24cm) found in western north America – from Alaska south to Mexico. Found in a wide range of habitats including parks and gardens it feeds mainly on insects as well as small vertebrates like squirrels and birds.
G. Bubo capensis
Another large species – the females can weigh up to 1.8kg – found in southern and eastern Africa. Usually found in mountainous areas it prefers rocky areas where it finds its daytime roosts. Its main food is medium-sized mammals such as hares, but will also feed on birds.
H. Athene noctua
Another small species (21-23cm) that is widespread in Europe and Asia – there is even an introduced population on the South Island of New Zealand. It frequents open habitats, including towns and is often seen perching on exposed posts during the day. It uses such sites to swoop on its prey – usually small mammals but a wide range of other animals are also eaten.
The final coordinates are at
S 37 (A-H)E.(B-D)(C+G)F
E 145 (A-B)D.AB(F-H)
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