FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE POWERFUL OWL Ninox strenua lN SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA
| Posted: |
11/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Rodney P. Kavanagh, Stephen A. Craig |
This paper describes significant new information on the breeding biology of the Powerful Owl
Ntnox strenua from Victoria and
New South Wales. The observations were made in areas of eucalypt forest within the urban fringes of major cities (Melbourne a
nd Sydney) and in more secluded forest near Eden in south-eastern NSW. A banded first year female Powerful Owl dispersed
from her birthplace to mate with a recently widowed, neighbouring male at a nest site 900 metres from her birthplace. She
layed eggs at twelve months of age, and successfully reared two young in the nest used by her predecessor during the
previous year. This is the only documented case of a banded nestling Powerful Owl being found outside its natal area.
Evidence is presented to suggest that males may be responsible for selecting nest sites. Two instances are reported of males
raising chicks following the death of their mates. Recently widowed males at three sites were observed to pair opportunistically
with new females, including one case where murder was suspected. On several occasions, non-breeding floaters were
observed in the territories of established breeding pairs.
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