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Owl Fun Facts

  • Owls have been around for 60 million years, they belong to the Strigiformes order and there are approximately 250 known species.

  • They can be found in every habitat from forests to arctic tundra.

  • They have three-dimensional vision as there eyes are positioned at the front of their heads so what they can see from each eye overlaps, this helps them track their prey at night.

  • They can swivel their heads up to 270 degrees, they can't move their eyes sideways.

  • The feathers around each eye are arranged in a circle and can be moved to focus sound towards their ears.

  • They have forward-facing earholes set at different heights so they can exactly pinpoint where the sound is...this is called binaural or directional hearing.

  • They have a short, hooked bill which is perfect for gripping, ripping and tearing food.

  • Feathers are muted in colour with patterns for effective camouflage and are soft-edged and fringed to allow for near silent flying.

  • They have sharp talons useful to pick up and crush their prey.

  • Most owls diet consist of insects, birds and small mammals (rats and mice), some have adapted to live on fish.

  • They mostly eat their prey whole and then regurgitate the parts that are indigestible e.g., bones, several hours later and these care called pellets. You can dissect a pellet and work out what the owl has eaten!

  • They like to live in trees, crevices in rocks or buildings.

  • Their eggs are ususally round and white

Our Owls

Southern Boobook - Youth Action For Wildlife campaigning to ban second generation rodenticides

Southern Boobook

  • Found in a variety of habitats including forests

  • Eat

    • Insects

    • Small animals (e.g. mice/rats)

  • Feed at night – listen/watch for prey from high branches

  • Flying prey is caught in the air

  • Prey on the ground is pounced upon

  • Nest in tree hollows lined with leaves/twigs

  • Female incubates eggs, both parents feed

  • Around 29 cm in size, breeding season Sep to Feb, 2-5 chicks

Tawny Frogmouth - Youth Action For Wildlife campaigning to ban second generation rodenticides

Tawny Frogmouth

  • Found throughout the country – everywhere except rainforests and barren deserts

  • Eat

    • Insects

    • Worms, slugs/snails

    • Small mammals/reptiles

  • Prey is pounced upon or caught mid-air

  • Both parents incubates eggs, male during day, both at night

  • Nest – platform of twigs on a forked tree branch

  • Around 44 cm, breeding season Aug to Dec, 2-3 chicks

Masked Owl - Youth Action For Wildlife campaigning to ban second generation rodenticides

Masked Owl

  • Found in forests near the coast

  • Eats

    • Rodents

    • Rabbits

    • Bandicoots

    • Possums

  • Feed at night – sit and listen

  • Prey taken from the ground

  • Nest in hollows lined with leaves

  • Female incubates eggs, both feed chicks

  • Female is around 42 cm in size, however the male is much smaller, breed winter - spring, 2-3 chicks

Barn Owl - Youth Action For Wildlife campaigning to ban second generation rodenticides

Barn Owl

  • Found throughout the country – roost in hollows or thick trees

  • Prefer open, dry spaces (e.g. farms, forests)

  • Eat

    • Small animals (e.g. rodents/birds)

    • Insects, frogs, lizards

    • House Mouse

  • Hunt while flying (listen for prey)

  • Nest in trees hollows or buildings (e.g. barns)

  • Nests are lined with old pellets

  • Female incubates eggs, both parents feed

  • Around 34 cm in size, no set breeding season, 3-6 chicks

Barking Owl - Youth Action For Wildlife campaigning to ban second generation rodenticides

Barking Owl

  • Widely distributed in Australia, but rare (possible extinct) in south-west WA

  • Found in open woodlands/edges of forests

  • Eat

    • Small/medium sized mammals

    • Birds

    • Insects

  • Hunting occurs during dusk/dawn – in clearings

  • Nest in open hollows (lined with sticks)

  • Female incubates eggs, male feeds, 2-3 chicks

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