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Powerful Owl

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Habitat: Woodland, Forest

Habitat

The Powerful Owl is found in open forests and woodlands, as well as along sheltered gullies in wet forests with dense understoreys, especially along watercourses. Will sometimes be found in open areas near forests such as farmland, parks and suburban areas, as well as in remnant bushland patches. Needs old growth trees to nest.

Did you know?

The Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest owl.

Behaviour

The  Powerful Owl forages mainly in trees, swooping down on prey and taking prey with its feet.

Feeding

The Powerful Owl is a carnivore, eating mainly medium to large tree-dwelling mammals, particularly the Common Ringtail Possum,Pseudocheirus peregrinus, and the Great Glider. It will also take roosting birds and sometimes small ground-dwelling mammals such as rabbits or small marsupials. It forages mainly in trees, swooping down on prey and taking prey with its feet.

Breeding

The Powerful Owl mates for life (over 30 years in some cases) and pairs defend an all-purpose territory year-round. The male prepares the nest, which is usually a vertical hollow in a large old tree and provides the female and young with a constant supply of food during the early part of the nesting period. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young, emerging later in the nesting period to hunt for food as well. Young birds remain with the parents for several months after fledging and may stay within their parents’ territory for over a year.

Conservation Status

  • Federal: Least Concern
  • QLD: Vulnerable
  • NSW: Vulnerable
  • VIC: Vulnerable
  • SA: Endangered