BIRD #19 OF 45

Powerful Owl

The Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest owl and one of its most impressive nocturnal predators. Secretive and rarely seen, it spends its days roosting quietly in dense forest before emerging at night to hunt.

Its favourite prey includes possums and gliders, making it an important predator in healthy forests.

  • HABITAT

    Forest, woodland, rainforest, urban bushland

  • CONSERVATION STATUS

    Least Concern (LC)

  • LOCATION

    QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC

  • HOW TO SPOT IT

    🦉 Australia’s largest owl with a broad, rounded head
    🤍 White underparts with bold dark brown barring
    🟤 Dark brown upperparts with large yellow eyes
    🌳 Usually roosts high in large, mature trees during the day

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Powerful Owls often return to the same nesting hollow year after year. Because they rely on large, old trees with natural hollows, protecting mature forests is essential for their survival.