The Powerful Owl Project

“The Powerful Owl has an imposing size (~60cm), can lift heavy prey hence its name, and has huge orange/yellow talons. It has piercing yellow laser-beam eyes, a distinctive “hoot hoot…..hoot hoot” call, and very groovy chocolate-coloured chevrons on its breast that look like flying foxes silhouetted against a moonlit night sky! What is not to love!” ~ Andrew Dinwoodie, BirdLife Australia’s Powerful Owl Coordinator

The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) is a remarkable and important specie part of the Eastern Australian ecosystem. With a wingspan of up to 1.4 meters, its ability for silent flight allows it to hunt effectively.

How is the Powerful Owl population doing?

Unfortunately, they are listed as Vulnerable in NSW, QLD, and Vic, and Endangered in SA.

However, Powerful Owls are faring okay in urban areas—so long as they can find a 250-year-old hollow-bearing gumtree to nest in.

These critical trees are being lost through habitat clearing, bushfires, and hazard reduction burns, often because they are deemed risky and cut down instead of being preserved with other risk mitigation measures. Secondary poisoning from Second Generation Anti-coagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) is another major threat; this occurs when owls consume prey that has been poisoned. Alarmingly, a BirdLife Australia study found rodenticides in 37 of 38 dead Powerful Owls tested around Sydney.

Project aims: This collaborative volunteer-based conservation project involves well informed and strategic research actions carried out in an ethical way and following strict guidelines, that are aimed towards the protection of this apex native Australian predator. 

How: Field observations, surveys, data collection and recordings are regularly carried out mainly during the stages of their breeding season. 

A number of technologies and new knowledge are applied to study the species interactions and habitat requirements which are essential for their protection and to support and celebrate their successful proliferation.

We are looking for Powerful solutions for Powerful Owls.

The Powerful Owl Project aims to inspire the public, educating them about owls and their habitat requirements.

Even from our homes and gardens we all can do something for our Powerful Owls by stopping now the use of rodenticides (rat poisons) and protecting natural habitat.

BirdLife Australia research shows that powerful owls and other predatory birds are being poisoned by common rodenticides, particularly second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), which contaminate the food chain. These poisons, often found in household rat baits, are ingested by the owls’ prey and cause internal bleeding, with some owls having lethal levels of the poison in their systems. Read more here.

What can you do to help?

Join today The Birdlife Australia Powerful Owl Project as a volunteer!

…and get involved in advocacy, engaging with the greater community in urban conservation and ways to minimise urban threats, such as habitat loss.

Email decision makers to support regulation of dangerous rodenticide poisons

Sign out petition calling on Bunnings to stop selling SGARs

Report on the loss of hollow-bearing trees from burns

Members of the community can also volunteer for nature conservation programs including bushcare in your area through the Brisbane City Council Habitat Brisbane Bushcare Program

 

We love Powerful Owls!                                                                                                              

Other ways on how you could get involved and help!

The Aussie Bird Count is an annual event that provides relevant data on the abundance and biodiversity of the Australian Birdlife. Many people participate in this fun and important event.

People also report their observations on the iNaturalist App, which allows you to upload a picture and suggest the species that you might have observed (not only of birds, but of bugs, fungi, plants, etc.) and others can then agree with you, or suggest a different opinion.

These observations assist in the creation of a key record of what is living in a specific habitat and how it changes over time. Without the entries by the citizen scientists, such records would not be possible.  For example, over the past two years there has been a decrease in sightings of ring-tailed possums in Bardon. The reason for this is unclear, however, the observations are critical so that people in Bardon can be informed and be mindful of the protection of this possum specie. Driving slowly and carefully at night, not using rat poison, keeping dogs on the lead and cats inside are four behaviours that will protect the possums from being harmed.

                                                                                                                                      

The Powerful Owl Project acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Nations of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and culture. We acknowledge their Elders past, present and emerging.