How to Draw an Australian Masked Owl

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Australian Masked Owl in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Australian Masked Owl.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw an Australian Masked Owl - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: The Australian Masked Owl is a nocturnal bird that lives in Australia. That means it comes out at night! To start, draw an upside down ‘U’ for the head and a rounded heart shape for the face.

Step 3: Draw a narrow V shape for the back, and a long line sloping down and back for the chest and belly.

Step 7: Add a couple of small feathers for the owl’s tail and you’re done! The Australian Masked Owl is a light brown color with dark speckles or spots. Its heart shaped face is white and looks like a mask, hence its name. Owls are very quiet when they sneak up on their prey; can you sneak up on someone without them knowing?

Interesting Facts about Australian Masked Owls

Australian masked owls are members of the family Tytonidae, or barn owls. They are called “masked” because their face looks as if it is covered by a white heart-shaped mask. These birds are native to Southern New Guinea and, of course, Australia.

Did you know?

• Once it has established its own territory, the Australian masked owl usually lives there for the rest of its life, even if food becomes scarce.
• They are about 12 inches long and weigh about 23 ounces.
• Like most owls, they are nocturnal (active at night). They hunt at night for their food, which is usually reptiles, small birds, insects, and mice. In the 1800s, they were called mouse owls because they caught mice on people’s properties.
• They are endangered in some Australian states.

There is no set breeding season for Australian masked owls. Females usually lay three eggs at a time. The father gathers food for the nesting mother until the eggs hatch. The eggs are kept warm in nests that are built in bushes or shrubs near the ground, or high up in the hollows of trees. The newborns are able to fly after three months. A few weeks after mastering this skill, they start to take care of themselves.