Bird
Powerful Owl
Ninox strenuaThe Powerful Owl is Australia's largest owl, with yellow eyes and bold dark chevrons across a pale chest. It roosts in tall forest by day and hunts possums, gliders, flying foxes, and large birds after dark.
large forest owlarboreal mammal hunterhollow-tree nester
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyRingtail possums, gliders, parrots
Predators
- larger raptors
- goannas
ThreatsLoss of old hollow trees, forest fragmentation, vehicle strikes, power lines, and disturbance at nests and roosts
HabitatsMature eucalypt forest, wooded gullies, riparian woodland, forest edge, and well-treed urban parks
Life spanOften more than 15 years, with some wild owls living beyond two decades
Classification
- FamilyStrigidae
- SpeciesNinox strenua
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Keep well away from roosts and nest hollows, especially when young owls are present.
- What to notice
- A very large brown owl with deep yellow eyes and dark V-shaped chevrons across the chest.
- Support conservation
- Stay at least fifty meters from roosts, avoid playback and bright lights, and conceal nest locations.
Responsible observation
- Listen: A slow resonant double hoot carries far through forest at night.
- Roost: Scan beneath tall canopy from a distance without using bright light.
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