Magical endangered moment

This week I’m sharing a sight I’ve longed to see for many years – due to the ethics of endangered species, I can’t share when or where these images were taken but the absolute magic of the few moments of bliss will stay with me forever.

Imagine you’re wandering along a track, late in the day, checking the treetops for thornbills when you catch sight of something way larger than a thornbill giving you the kind of stern look that reminds you of your childhood. Powerful Owls are massive, up to 60cm in length, with a wingspan up to 140cm and weighing up to 1.45 kilograms – seriously massive. They are Australia’s largest owl. Humans can be injured by owls, I remember an author speaking about a book he was writing that had a title something like ‘One-eyed Owl Lover’ and I’ve just digressed for a moment to search for owls attacking humans, and I wish I hadn’t. But, it’s good to be wary.

Powerful Owls are hawk owls, with yellow eyes and without the heart-shaped facial discs associated with species like the Barn Owl.

Photographers will see from the horrendously high ISO that lighting conditions weren’t good. Actually, non-photographers may remember the days of film when the standard rolls were 100 ISO but occasionally 400 ISO might be bought for indoor photography. ISO relates to the sensitivity of the film/sensor to light, the higher the number the more light and the potential for more grain/digital noise in the image. I’m stoked that these shots came out as clearly as they did.

As I was wandering away from the adult owl I was wondering if I’d see its partner. Powerful Owls mate for life and can live for more than thirty years. I didn’t find its partner but did see this exquisitely magnificent chick glancing at me curiously from its perch high in the tree canopy. A Powerful Owl chick! I was mesmerised. This chick’s expression seems more innocent and curious than the fiercer stare of the adult owl. It reminded me a little of the grandfather on the ancient show The Munsters/Adams Family. The markings on its upper parts were well developed while its head and underparts were still fluffy white down.

And then, just a little further along the track, was a second chick. This one looks slightly older as dark-tipped feathers can be seen amongst the down. I believe Powerful Owl eggs are laid about four days apart. Later both chicks will develop the typical ‘chevron’ markings of the adults birds’ underparts, as can be seen in the photograph of the adult owl. The chick above has some dark-tipped feathers peeking through its downiness.

A breeze was blowing from behind this chick which caused its tail to curve and flap beneath it, which was quite comical to see. Chicks’ tails are considerably shorter than adults’ tails but they have the same huge yellow feet and crazily long talons.

Incubation takes about thirty-eight days with the female sitting on the eggs while the male keeps watch on the nesting hollow. Powerful Owl chicks spend about fifty-five days in the nesting hollow. A little light came through the trees which was fabulous timing. I’m still smiling.

Powerful Owls feed on Common Ringtail Possums, Common Brushtail Possums and gliders but they also take flying foxes and medium to large birds such as lorikeets, cockatoos and magpies.

While I was there the first chick regurgitated a pellet, which can just be seen by playing Spot the Difference with the screenshot above. The pellet was larger and more solid than it appears in the image, due to how fast it was falling and that it is not in focus. At first the chick appeared to be yawning but the ‘yawn’ was sustained and not fluid so it was clear that a pellet was on its way out. Pellets consist of the indigestible fur and bones of the birds’ prey.

These magnificent birds are endangered in Victoria and vulnerable, endangered or not present in other states and territories. Trees need to be about 150 years old to develop hollows large enough for Powerful Owls, so retaining old, hollow-bearing trees is vital for the long-term survival of the species. Some innovative experimentation is taking place with nesting boxes which will be great if it works, but in reality we need to retain more large trees and the surrounding habitat. A few days ago the federal government announced their goal to prevent any new extinctions of Australian native wildlife – there is hope!

Happy birding, Kim

NB Many, many thanks for all the wonderful feedback I’ve had about my chat with Thomas from the Birding Today Podcast.

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Special thanks to blly66