Where do they live?

Powerful Owls are a threatened species (classed as 'Vulnerable' in NSW). We are lucky enough to have multiple Powerful Owl breeding pairs throughout the Northern Beaches. They are highly territorial, typically hunting and breeding in forests and woodlands during the night, and roosting in dense vegetation throughout the day. They need old-growth trees with large tree hollows to nest.

What do they eat?

Powerful Owls are skilled predators, primarily feeding on medium-sized arboreal marsupials such as possums and gliders. They occasionally prey on flying-foxes, small ground-dwelling mammals like rats and mice, and birds including magpies and currawongs. Their hunting strategy usually involves foraging in trees and swooping down to seize prey with their strong talons.

What do they look like?

With a wingspan of up to 140 cm and standing up to 60 cm tall, Powerful Owls are the largest owl in Australia. Females are slightly smaller than males and have a comparatively narrower head.

They have grey-brown feathers on their back and white feathers on their stomach, crossed with dark brown 'v'-shaped horizontal markings. They have large yellow eyes and no facial disc, which is characteristic of hawk-owls.

How can you support Powerful Owls?

• Keep and protect trees with hollows, even if they are dead: large tree hollows are critical for Powerful Owls to lay eggs and raise chicks.
• Avoid poison rat baits and sticky traps: These cause suffering to native wildlife and can harm predators that eat poisoned rodents. For advice on better alternatives, visit this website. 
• Keep pets indoors, especially at night: this will reduce predation on owls and their prey, and ensure pets remain safe from owls too.
• Report sightings: If you come across a sick or injured owl, please call the nearest wildlife rescue group. On the Northern Beaches, that would be WIRES (1300 094 737) or Sydney Wildlife (9413 4300). If you come across a seemingly healthy owl, log your sighting on a citizen science app such as iNaturalist.
• Drive carefully at night: Reduce speed in forested areas to prevent vehicle collisions with owls.
• Report foxes: Foxes can kill young owls, so if you see one, please report it to FoxScan. 
• Create a backyard sanctuary: Support the animals that Powerful Owls rely on for food by transforming your garden into a safe haven for local wildlife. Plant native shrubs and ground covers to provide essential food and shelter. For practical advice, check out Backyard Habitat. 
• Join a local Bushcare group: Participate in supervised bush regeneration to help restore habitat. 

Fun Facts

• Powerful Owls are monogamous and mate for life, which can be for over 30 years.
• Chicks are very fluffy and remain with their parents for several months after fledging.
• They breed in April to September, and usually have 2 chicks at once.