DIET OF POWERFUL OWLS (NINOX-STRENUA) LIVING NEAR MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

The diet of powerful owls (Ninox strenua) living at Christmas Hills, 3 5 km north-east of Melbourne, was examined by analysis of 686 regurgit ated pellets collected over two years. Mammalian prey was found in 89% , insects in 13%, vegetation in 11% and birds in 10% of the pellets. O f the mammals, common ringtail possums occurred most frequently in the pellets over the year. There was no seasonal difference in the freque ncy of occurrences of common ringtail possums and sugar gliders in pel lets. However, common brushtail possums were more likely to be taken i n spring than in the other seasons. More adult common ringtail possums were taken as prey than were other age classes over the year, except in summer when high numbers of young were consumed by the owls.