The largest owl in Australia by weight; pairs mate for life and defend permanent territories in old-growth forest.
VIC: Vulnerable; SA: Vulnerable; WA: Endangered
Sensitive species — location data may be restricted
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyOwls
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatIt is found in coastal areas and in the Great Dividing Range , rarely more than 200 km (120 mi) inland.
Best timeReported across most months in New South Wales, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
1623visible hotspots
24839visible records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Found around coastal south-eastern Australia.
Behavior
Roosts in large trees along creeks, gullies, in dense woodland and forest. Call is a loud double-hoot with second note slightly higher than the first.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
Australian Capital Territory
South Australia
Commonly confused with
MoreporkNinox novaeseelandiaeMostly heard at night via their distinct double hoot call of 'more-pork'. Other calls are a monotonous 'more' or a rising 'quee' call, often given whilst hunting. Minimal overlap with introduced Little Owl, but differentiated by darker colouration, larger head, as well as longer tail. Note, rising 'quee' call can be mistaken for kiwi calls.→Tasmanian BoobookNinox leucopsisFairly common in a wide variety of habitats on Tasmania.→Barking OwlNinox connivensKnown for its diagnostic ‘woof-woof’ call which sounds like a dog barking.→