Breeding and diet of the Rufous Owl Ninox rufa and Barking Owl N. connivens in Darwin, Northern Territory

Abstract

The breeding and diet of the Rufous Owl Ninox rufa and Barking Owl N. connivens were studied in Darwin, Northern Territory, during 2015–2025 by observation, monitoring and analysis of pellets and prey remains. In the Rufous Owl, laying occurred from mid to late February to May, including a replacement clutch after failure at the chick stage. Breeding success in 2020–2025 across three monitored territories was 12 fledglings, or 0.7 young per pair per year. Diet across six territories in 2015–2025 was 78% mammals and 22% birds by number (n = 324). One pair of Barking Owls, in the Darwin Botanic Gardens, raised an average of 2.5 fledglings per successful nest (broods of two or three, n = 4) over 7 years, 2015–2021. This pair laid eggs in October–November, and fledging was in January, although two other pairs fledged young (and therefore laid) at least a month earlier. Breeding diet of this pair was 67% birds, 26% mammals and 8% insects by number (n = 105), insects possibly being under-estimated.