Amazing Owls of the Hunter Region

Owls are mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. The Hunter Region is home to several species, let's take a look.

Powerful Owl

The Powerful Owl is a large owl with a relatively small head and a rounded tail. It is dark grey to dark grey-brown above, with white barring, and off-white below, with distinctive dark v-shaped chevrons. The eyes are yellow, set in a dark grey/brown facial mask. The legs are feathered and the yellow to orange feet are massive, with sharp talons. The sexes are alike but the female is smaller, with a narrower head. Juvenile birds are downy white on the head and underparts, the underparts are sparsely streaked, and they have much shorter tails than the adults. Powerful Owls are the largest of the Australian nocturnal birds (night birds).

Powerful Owl in wildlife care

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.

The Powerful Owl is adversely affected by land clearing, but can live in fragmented habitats such as farms or suburban areas. Sometimes killed by cars. Young birds are sometimes killed by foxes, cats or dogs.

Barn Owl

The nocturnal Barn Owl is one of the most widespread owl species in Australia. These birds of prey are known for their distinctive heart-shaped faces and ability to hunt prey at night. Specialised feathers around their face and ear openings channel sound into the ears enabling them to locate prey in the dark by sound. Barn Owls primarily feed on small mammals, mostly introduced mice and rodents that are attracted to grains and other crops, making them an important predator in many ecosystems and farmland areas.

Despite their significant role in the food chain, Barn Owls in Australia are impacted by habitat loss and degradation, as well as other factors including vehicle strikes and poisoning. Conservation efforts such as reducing the clearing of natural forested habitat and the reduction of pesticide use, can help to protect the Barn Owl population in Australia.

Thanks to Australian Museum for information.

Barn Owl

Boobook Owl

The Southern Boobook is the smallest and most common owl in Australia. It is identified by its plumage, which is dark chocolate-brown above and rufous-brown below, heavily streaked and spotted with white. The bill is grey with a darker tip, and the feet are grey or yellow. The facial disc is chocolate brown and the eyes are large and yellowish. Tasmanian birds are smaller and more heavily spotted with white, while birds of the Cape York rainforests are slightly larger and darker. Young Southern Boobooks are almost entirely buff-white below, with conspicuous dark brown facial discs. Like other owl species, the Southern Boobook is nocturnal. Birds are often observed perched on an open branch or tree-top.

Thanks to Australia Museum for information.

Eastern Boobook Owl