From Opus

Ninox strenua

Photo by mick todd
Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Photo of Juvenile by ChrisCharles
Location: Location: Chatswood, Sydney, NSW, Australia

[edit] Identification

60–66 cm; this is the largest Ninox owl. Large golden-yellow eyes, grey brown V barring, dull yellow feet. It has a dark grey brown facial mask. The female is smaller. Juveniles have white heads and underparts and shorter tails.

[edit] Distribution

South-eastern and eastern Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Mountain and coastal forests, gullies, forest margins, woodlands including sparse hilly woodlands, scrub, plantations and urban and rural parks and gardens.

[edit] Behaviour

It breeds in pairs from July to September. The male builds the nest of leaf litter and debris in hollow tree trunks high from the ground. The female incubates the eggs and is fed by the male. 1-2 oval white eggs are laid. Young birds remain with the parents for several months after fledging and may stay within their parents' territory for over a year.

It is a carnivore, eating mainly medium to large tree-dwelling mammals. 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.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID