LESSER SOOTY OWL
Photo: C & D Frith
Wet Tropics Rainforest Life
LESSER SOOTY OWL: Tyto multipunctata Identifying Characteristics: Part of the "masked" group of owls. They have large black eyes, spotted upperparts, white-grey underparts, a dark grey breast and reversible outer toes to perch with two toes forward and two toes backward. They have a crouched posture. Male 33 cm, Female 37 cm
Call: Distribution and Habitat: The Lesser Sooty Owl is endemic to the Wet Tropics region. Though restricted in distribution, in the Tablelands area it is considered common, but decreasing in numbers (largely due to clearing). It was once thought that all sooty owls comprised only one species in three distinct populations, but they have now been given a separate species status. Those living in the Wet Tropics (Atherton population) have been named the Lesser Sooty Owl, and those in the south-east Australia and New Guinea, the Sooty Owl.
They live throughout the rainforest, roosting in tree crevices and in spaces between the aerial roots of figs and overhanging banks. Members of a pair maintain a bond but do not roost together. As the Lesser Sooty Owl is unable to build a true nest and depends on nest hollows, it is especially vulnerable to habitat loss. The most significant raptor conservation problem is the destruction, degradation and alteration of habitat. They are sedentary (do not travel far) and territorial.
Feeding: Lesser Sooty Owls, like all other owls, are known as raptors, or birds of prey. They are unrelated to diurnal species of raptors, but similar in habit. Because they are predators, they are valuable components in ecosystems. They feed predominantly on terrestrial animals (eg. rats, bandicoots and other rodents), but also on arboreal (tree-dwelling) ones (eg. possums, birds and gliders). As they are at the top of the food chain however, they can be limited by the availability of their prey. They are also vulnerable to human impact. These owls regurgitate pellets containing the less digestible components of their prey (eg. hair, scales, bone and invertebrate exoskeletons). The acidity of the digestive system determines the consistency of these elements. Researchers can often learn a lot about animals living in a particular area by examining these pellets; bones of the rarely-trapped prehensile-tailed rat are the only indication that it is more common than sightings would suggest.(Source: Environmental Protection Agency)
Mating and Breeding: They are generally long lived, have low reproduction rates and low population densities. The breeding season is from January to August. There are known to be two mating pairs in the Lake Eacham region, where they are commonly seen at night, and heard making their characteristic call.
Humans as Predators: Raptors may suffer from secondary poisoning from the accumulation of pesticides, and are known to be more sensitive to the effects of DDT (dichlor-diphenyl-trichlor-ethane). Power poles can be hazardous for medium to large birds too. If they touch two electrical wires at the same time, or a single-phase and a ground wire, they will be electrocuted. All sized owls may be at risk from pole-top transformers. To reduce risk, the insulation of closely spaced wires and the provision of safe perches are efficient and cost effective methods. It is also likely that the bird may be injured or killed from colliding with the electrical wires or structures. While feeding on road-killed animals, many owls themselves are killed by vehicles. Removing these animals from the roads would help reduce this problem. Since 1971, the Lesser Sooty Owl and all other Australian raptors have been protected by legislation. The only legal trade of these birds is between registered wildlife and zoological gardens.
Additional Information: Owls, like many nocturnal animals, have good night vision, but rely also on their excellent hearing up to four times better than any other animal tested - which allows some to hunt in complete darkness. Because their left and right ears are placed at different levels on their heads there is a slight difference in the time taken for a particular sound to reach each ear. This time-lag enables the owl to pinpoint the source of the sound more accurately. The higher ear has an opening facing downwards and is more sensitive to sounds from below. Feathers within the characteristic facial disc are positioned so as to funnel sound to the ears. Stiff feathers bordering the ear slits are attached to moveable flaps so an owl can change the shape of its ear opening and focus its hearing. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency) When swooping on its prey on of the owl's outer toes can be brought around so the four talons grip from four different directions. When threatened they make clicking sounds with their tongues to intimidate predators. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency)
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