On the prowl for the Powerful Owl

Several locals have heeded the call of Birdlife Australia and gone on the prowl for the Powerful Owl in the Toronto Area. 

The first couple of expeditions did not provide a sighting but recently a successful viewing occurred off Centennial Parkway. With the support of a local landowner nice clear whitewash (bird droppings) were seen, with a very furry pellet in the middle of it, so real evidence of local presence. The owl prowlers watched a Powerful Owl pull apart something furry then fly overhead to another perch and heard a Powerful Owl call several times. A glimpse was had of what was thought to be a female flying past then the calls came from further away so hopefully some chicks will be heard in the near future. 

Powerful Owls are the largest owls in Australia with possums, especially Ringtails being a favourite food. They will also take roosting birds and swoop on they prey grabbing them with their feet. 

The Powerful Owl mates for life, often 30 years,  and the pair defends its territory all year long. Their home includes an area that has open forests, woodlands, sheltered gullies with a watercourse and large vertical tree hollow for the nest. You can see why the Toronto area has been chosen by this local pair.

If you would like more information about the Powerful Owl project  contact David Bain  from Birdlife Australia david.bain@birdlife.org.au
M 0421 337 545 | T 02 9647 1875

A local Powerful Owl range being surveyed