Thanks everyone for the replies. Just to put it beyond doubt that it’s a Boobook, here’s a recording.
https://youtu.be/Hposrvn-h-s
Mark – I have in previous summers heard interaction between a pair of owls which sounded a lot like your description of the Barking Owl. Nevertheless I think this is a Boobook – I don’t know whether they have a nesting site, but at least
one bird seems to return every spring/summer.
Rob
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Mark Clayton via Canberrabirds
Sent: Tuesday, 19 October, 2021 11:15 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Owls
Rob,
Generally an Australian Boobook says just that - "Boobook" whereas the Powerful Owl has a very deep and low "Woo Hoo". The other Ninox owl species that rarely turns up locally is the Barking Owl. Its call is, if in a pair, a rather rapid "Wook Wook" followed
by the other bird of the pair giving a lower toned but still rapid "Wook Wook". Of course all these owls have a variety of calls so they can't always be identified to a specific species. Most of the Tyto Barn Owl have a series of raspy screeches, whistles
and clicks. As you say your call is most likely an Australian Boobook.
Mark
On 19/10/2021 10:59 am, Rob Geraghty via Canberrabirds wrote:
I heard an owl last night in Mawson. I've listened to recordings of Boobook and Powerful Owls, bit I'm still not sure what the difference is. It was probably a Boobook, but I know there's Powerful Owls in Canberra. Can anyone suggest how
to tell the two calls apart, please?
