Who’s eating the Cockatoos?

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.


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2 comments to Who’s eating the Cockatoos?

  • pveerman

    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—– Chris Corben Sent: Thursday, 10 December 2015 10:14 AM 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: I’ve never heard before. This morning lawn. This is the second time in two weeks. reasonably large bone. There is also a piece there. It’s out on a reasonably small Chris Corben.


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  • cjcorben

    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: — Chris Corben.


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