This species is strictly nocturnal and spends the daytime hiding in a tree hollow or dense foliage,. They are distinguished from lesser Sooty Owls by much larger size and darker plumage, sparser white spots on upperparts and darker underparts which have white spots on a dark background where the lesser Sooty Owl has dark chevrons on a pale background. Hunting & Food: Lesser Sooty Owls hunt mainly small mammals, but also take insects and some birds. Main calls include a high-pitched They generally hunt from low perches and take prey on the ground. Eggs are laid in any month, but most records of laying are from March to May. The lesser sooty owl (Tyto multipunctata) is an owl that lives in the wet tropics region of Australia. This handsome species inhabits rainforest, wet eucalypt forest, and surrounding habitats. The females length is 37-43 cm and weighs 750-1000 gm. Greater Sooty Owl – Tyto tenebricosa. Most traditional literature has them as denizens of dark, ferny gullies but I have found them in a wide variety of habitats from Ash, to Messmate and even heath. Size: Female - Length 44-51 cm (17-20") Weight 750-1000g (26.5-35 oz) Male - Length 37-43 cm (14.5-17") Weight 500-700g (17.5-24.5 oz) … They have a finely white spotted head with scattered white spots on the wings. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the greater sooty owl, Tyto tenebricosa, by some authors.The birds are then together commonly referred to as sooty owl. Its pale feet seem too large for its body. They will also roost in caves or under a rocky overhang. Medium-sized dark-gray owl with prominent facial disc and white speckles through the plumage. Like other birds of prey, the female (37 centimetres or 15 inches) is bigger than the male (33 cm or 13 in). The Sooty Owl , also known as the Greater Sooty Owl, is a medium to large owl found in south-eastern Australia, Montane rainforests of New Guinea and have been seen on Flinders Island in the Bass Strait. Hunting & Food: The Sooty Owl is a powerful hunter and takes some remarkably big prey, a high proportion being arboreal. Breeding: The season is very variable and dependant on rain. The northern subspecies is smaller and paler. Like other birds of prey, the female (37 centimetres or 15 inches) is bigger than the male (33 cm or 13 in). This contrasts not only with the lesser Sooty but with all other Tyto Owls, which take most of their prey on the ground. The females are lighter colored than the males. Greater or Lesser Sooty-Owl ( Tyto [tenebricosa or multipunctata]) Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 01 (August 2013): Greater or Lesser Sooty-Owl ( Tyto [tenebricosa or multipunctata]) Avibase taxonomic concepts v. 02 (May 2014): Greater or Lesser Sooty-Owl ( Tyto [tenebricosa or multipunctata]) Greater Sooty Owls favour tall, wet eucalypt forests and rely on the hollows of older trees for nesting and roosting. Pairs usually become more noisy at the start of the season with frequent 'bomb … As a result of the clearing of old-growth forests, Greater Sooty Owl populations have been fragmented and reduced. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the greater sooty owl, Tyto tenebricosa, by some authors.The birds are then together commonly referred to as sooty owl. The lesser sooty owl (Tyto multipunctata) is an owl that lives in the wet tropics region of Australia. The most widely encountered large forest owl in the area of the proposed GFNP is the Sooty Owl.