this is well-known behaviour, and has been reported in Powerful and
Barking Owls, and I've personally seen a Boobook owl drop a dead
rosella when flushed from its daytime roost. (It's also known in
non-Australian species of owls). An article in the Biological Journal
of the Linnaean Society suggests its possibly a territorial display or
food storage behaviour, and is usually confined to breeding age males
of the larger Ninox owl species. The Powerful owl which took up
residence in the National Botanic Gardens a few years ago was seen
several times holding prey during daylight hours.
sandra henderson, Canberra
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 1:41 PM, Jill & Sue <> wrote:
> Yesterday, thanks to a very helpful chap who works in the office at the Royal
> Botanic Gardens we saw the Powerful Owl in what we understand to be the tree
> it's often seen in near Government House and a pair of Tawny Frogmouths in a
> palm-type tree on the slope not far below it.
> One question: The owl was holding what looked like a large rat in its
> talons, on other occasions it's been reported with a ringtail possum. Other
> Powerful Owl reports mention perched birds also holding prey during daylight
> hours. Why don't they consume it when they catch it? Why do they hold it
> apparently throughout the day before consuming it?
>
> Jill & Sue
>
> Jill Rossiter & Sue Casson
>
> PO Box 17 HORNSBY NSW 1630
> 02 9487 2496
> Mobiles: 0409 578320(Jill); 0417 578320(Sue)
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