Shivers of delight. After a seriously long time I finally spent a few moments with a magnificent pair of Powerful Owls.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
It’s hard to write about the image of the Powerful Owl above when I can’t stop looking at it, I think I’m being hypnotised. The owl’s look is so intense, so powerful and I am thrilled to have finally seen them. Thank you Ken!
Powerful Owl are Australia’s largest nocturnal species and can be found from southeastern South Australia, through Victoria and New South Wales to southeastern Queensland. They are listed as Endangered in South Australia and Victoria, and as Vulnerable in New South Wales and Queensland. Powerful Owls rely on large hollows for breeding and are adversely impacted by land clearing and the logging of old growth forests.
Powerful Owls are hawk owls and measure about 65cm in height and weigh 1.0- 2.2kg with a wingspan of 135cm. These owls have yellow eyes but their pupils were widely dilated in the low light conditions and the yellow can be more clearly seen when I’m looking at high resolution images. The dark chevrons on their underparts are diagnostic in areas where they overlap with Rufous Owls.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
You may have noticed the dark patch on the owl’s underparts in the top image. The second image was taken immediately prior to the owl looking straight at me and shows it preening with oils it had just gathered from the uropygial gland above its tail (thanks Fiona for helping to confirm this). If you look closely at the top image you’ll see where it looks as though a knob of butter has been smudged onto a patch of feathers.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 6400
I’ve included the image above, as poor as it is, as it shows the owl’s feathered legs and massive yellow-orange feet with super long talons. Powerful Owls feed mainly on Common Ringtail Possums but will also take other small mammals, birds and large insects. They hunt from a perched position, swooping onto their prey which they often hold draped over a branch until eating it the following day.
Powerful Owls will attack humans who they feel are a threat to their nesting site, and tragically nests are sometimes abandoned. A few years ago I listened to an interview where a guy called himself a ‘one-eyed birder’ after being attacked by an owl.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
A hint of the owl’s yellow iris can be seen in the image above.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
I have seen Powerful Owls a couple of times before. The first time was on a dirt track late one evening; it was with prey at the side of the track. I’d presumed it was taking a rabit but at the time I was told they didn’t go to ground with prey, which made me think maybe it had dropped a possum. With the reading I’ve done over the past few days I’ve learned that they do occasionally take rabbits so maybe I was right in the first place. My second sighting was when one flew between me and a full moon, it was utterly magical.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
Male Powerful Owls are generally larger than females. Females have a narrower head with a more rounded crown according to The Australian Bird Guide. The breeding season begins during May and June, and Powerful Owls mate for life; partnerships of over 30 years have been recorded. They start the season by gradually roosting close together so hopefully these guys are planning to raise a couple of healthy chicks this year.
Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 6400
The preening image above shows a profile of the owl’s powerful bill as it daintily adjusts a feather. Powerful Owls maintain large territories and neighbouring nests can be between 5-20 kilometres from each other. They are remarkable birds and I am delighted to be able to share these images.
Happy birding
Kim
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Wonderful images Kim. I’m shivering with envy. Thanks for sharing and for the insights into the habits and identification of these wonderful birds.
I hope you get to see some soon Neil, they are definitely worth waiting for!
Wonderful images Kim, I was lucky enough to go there on Tuesday morning and another photographer was there to show me where they were. I did not know that they were so big and beautiful. I want to go back there soon to get better photos as they day was not very good the clouds kept covering the light of the sun. I love your images.
Hi Kathleen, I’m glad you got to see them. I think it’s hard to understand how huge they are until we’ve seen them. I went back last week but they were a bit further in the bush so I couldn’t get any more images, except for a couple from the main path, where they are practically obscured by leaves.
I saw a pair once and they sat up tall looking as weird awkward and un owl like as their pictures in the bird book. They have incredibly long necks for an owl. I like your relaxed shots. Their odd posture is slumped and relaxed.
That’s a comical image you’ve put in my mind, Judy. Their heads are so small compared to the rest of them, they must have looked very strange with their necks stretched
Thanks for sharing those amazing photos. What great memories you will have of that day!
I’m still smiling about the day Margot, it really was special
Great shots! Like many creatures, their scale is difficult to portray without including something to compare to. ‘Toe’s’ the size of my fingers!
You’re right about scale Stephen. Sometimes I give examples (like weighing the same as a teaspoon of sugar, or could fit in my closed hand) but I didn’t think to do it with these guys, I should have!
Your photos are superb as always. We too have been lucky enough to see Powerful Owls, and even had 2 in our garden once, where I was able to get some video footage of them. Thank you once again for your posts.
Linda.
How fantastic Linda! I almost said ‘what a hoot’ but it goes way beyond a hoot. I hope they soon revisit your garden.
What beautiful birds! The photos are fantastic. Thank you.
Thanks Meredith, they really are beautiful, I’m still smiling that I got to see them out in the open
Too many owls would be barely enough.
I adore this series and have been scrolling up and down for a while.
Megathanks.
I’m glad you enjoyed them EC, I kept scrolling up and down too, which is pretty funny
Gorgeous photos of a stunning bird!
Thank you Nicky. I think they are one of the most remarkable birds
You are so fortunate to study and photograph these beautiful birds.
Thanks for your education too.
Hi Kathleen, I feel incredibly fortunate that they were out in the open, they really are beautiful birds
Wow they’re amazing 😍😍😍
They are so huge and awesome Leanne, totally amazing 🙂
Amazing birds! Thanks for these beautiful photos and great information.
You are very welcome Donna 🙂
Just wonderful pictures Kim, thankyou for bringing them to us and sharing😊
My absolutely pleasure Alison, it was so good to finally find them out in the open