No surprises there, HANZAB records S-c Cockatoo as prey of Powerful Owl (and
Barking Owl & maybe other owls. I didn't check). The well known and well
watched Powerful Owl in Canberra has taken S-c Cockatoo. Seen and
photographed holding S-c Cockatoo prey at day roost. Doesn't mean it is in
this case....
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Chris Corben
Sent: Thursday, 10 December 2015 10:14 AM
To:
Subject: Who's eating the Cockatoos?
Powerful Owl would not surprise me. I once watched a White Cockatoo
approach a large tree where there was a Powerful Owl nest. Presumably
the Cockatoo was planning to roost there, as it was a tree with many
large hollows. This was in the evening and it wasn't dark yet.
A Powerful Owl suddenly appeared and proceeded to chase the Cockatoo. So
the Owl was heading away from the tree as the Cockatoo was approaching
the tree. The Cockatoo saw it coming and did an extraordinary about
face, twisting dramatically in the air to turn a 180 and head away from
the Owl. It only just made it, since it lost so much speed in the turn
that the Owl very nearly reached it. But once the Cockatoo got around,
it accelerated away and was able to escape. The Owl chased it for some
distance, but the Cockatoo was flying faster.
As soon as it saw the Owl the Cockatoo started screaming and it
continued screaming as it flew away. The screams were noticeably
different from their normal screeching, but you could hear similarities.
It certainly conveyed to me the impression of fear!
On 12/9/2015 4:37 PM, Jason McHattan wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Last night at some ungodly hour, I was woken by a Cockatoo screaming like
I've never heard before. This morning
> when I got up the remains of said Cockatoo were spread over our front
lawn. This is the second time in two weeks.
>
> There is mainly feathers, with bit of meat attached, and one with a
reasonably large bone. There is also a piece
> high up in the gum tree above, so I'm assuming the attack took place up
there. It's out on a reasonably small
> branch, so I'd guess the perpetrator is not a possum.
>
> I'm guessing a Powerful Owl, which we have around here.
>
> Any other ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Jason.
Chris Corben.
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