Greater sooty owl

The greater sooty owl is a captivating bird that inhabits southeastern Australia, the montane rainforests of New Guinea, and occasionally Flinders Island in the Bass Strait. Medium to large in size, these owls are easily recognized by their distinctive appearance, featuring heads adorned with fine white spots and wings speckled with additional white marks. Notably, female sooty owls are generally lighter in color than their male counterparts.

As nocturnal creatures, greater sooty owls spend their days resting in large tree hollows, caves, or dense foliage. When night falls, they become active, primarily hunting mammals such as marsupials, possums, and rodents. In addition, they have a diverse diet that includes birds, bats, and insects. Human activities and changes in prey availability have influenced their dietary habits over time.

Greater sooty owls are highly territorial and communicate through a range of calls, including rasps and screams similar to those of barn owls. For nesting, they prefer large hollow trees or caves where the female lays one or two dull white eggs. Chicks, born with grey down, are ready to fly within three months, though the parents continue to care for and feed them for some time after fledging.

Regarding conservation, the global status of the greater sooty owl is not considered threatened. However, their conservation status varies by state within Australia. For instance, in Victoria, they are listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, while in New South Wales, they are classified as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Ongoing efforts to monitor and manage their populations continue at the state level in Australia.