Ninox strenua (Powerful Owl)

IUC Status: Least Concern

These are Australia’s largest owl species. They are very impressive, and can take down quite large prey such as possums. In fact there are some great photos on the Wikipedia page showing how they often roost with their prey in the talons, and devour it through the day.

The IUCN status for this species actually has the threat level to the species being less than that of the various Australian governments. That’s the first time I’ve seen that! It’s listed as “vulnerable” in all the states that its range extends into, except Victoria. It’s found along the eastern coast, from central QLD right down to the southern VIC coast, and west to the ranges. Its range is dictated by habitat, preferring humid forests.

This was one of a pair at Mt Cootha, near Brisbane. They bred during the winter, and had fledglings that were already large, and had left the nest. Unbelievably, they nested right near a popular walking area. This was my second trip to photograph them, and it happened to be the Ekka holiday. People in the forest that day were like hairs on a cats back. It was hard to believe that these four birds were putting up with it, but they seemed largely oblivious to the humans, and showed far more concern when other birds (Sulfur crested cockatoos in particular) were active overhead.