Appearance
The total length of the bird is 33 cm; weight - 285-290 grams.
A small dark owl of the genus Tyto without “ears” -bundles. There is currently no information on sexual dimorphism.
Tyto alba crassirostris has a very strong beak and claws. The upper part of the bird is dark, the owl is dirty white below, with brown stains and black spots. A white, with faded yellowness facial disc surrounds dark brown eyes and a creamy, with a slight black coating, beak. The fledgling parts of the legs and fingers are gray-brown in color, with black claws. [one]
Differences from other subspecies and species
Close to allopatric Tyto alba delicatula , but much darker than it, with powerful beak and wings. The geographically separated Australian Barn Owl has a varied plumage color, but it is noticeably larger, with stronger claws and legs, feathered to the very base of the fingers. [one]
Range
Endemic to Boang Island in Papua New Guinea . Isolation of the island may make the species vulnerable, but there is currently no accurate data on the status of these birds. [one]
Habitats
It inhabits open and semi-open areas with shrubs and trees, as well as meadows and agricultural land. [one]
Some ornithologists consider it to be a subspecies of Tyto (alba) delicatula . The taxonomy is uncertain; molecular genetic studies are necessary, on the basis of which the barn owl subspecies Tyto alba crassirostris can be isolated as an independent species of Tyto crassirostris .