General Description

A large owl with a rounded tail and small head. The upper body mottled dark grey-brown with white barring. Underparts white with characteristic grey-brown V-shaped marks. The large eyes are yellow. Bill light grey. Legs are feathered with large, sharp talons. In young birds, head is white and underparts are lightly streaked. Body length of adults is up to 65 cm. Call a distinctive low frequency two-note "whoo-hooo".

Biology

Powerful Owls mate for life and establish permanent territories that the pair defend all year. They require hollows in large, old growth trees to nest in. They are commonly found next to watercourses and are most active at night. Typical clutch size is one to two eggs. Males provide food to the female and chicks during the nesting period. Chicks remain with their parents for several months after they fledge and can stay inside their parent's territory for a year. Powerful Owls hunt by swooping down from trees, snatching prey with their talons. They commonly prey on medium- to large-sized tree-dwelling mammals including possums and gliders, but also birds, rabbits and small ground-dwelling marsupials. Prey items can be slung over tree branches and held by their strong talons while they roost during the day. Powerful Owls are the largest owls in Australia.

Distribution

Eastern and south-eastern mainland Australia.

Habitat

Open woodlands, forests, farmland and urban parks.

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