The Barking Owl and the Southern Boobook are of the ‘hawk-owl’ species. Although very similar in colouring and looks, the Barking Owl is much larger, with measurements of 35 to 45cms compared with the Southern Boobook of 25 to 35cms. Even though it is more common in the Pilbara area, the Barking Owl has been heard very, very occasionally within our Shire.

The Masked Owl is not a common species around our Shire, however, it has been observed in open farmland with large trees, woodlands and timbered watercourses with paperbark woodland being a preferred habitat.

Easily recognised by its distinctive heart-shaped facial disc and pale, often ghostly, plumage, the Barn Owl is not often seen except as a white flash at night when caught in a vehicle’s headlights on country roads.

The Boobook is the smallest of the Australian owls found in a variety of habitats and landforms from rainforest to arid areas, woodlands of the Wheatbelt, heath, Jarrah, Karri and Tingle forests.

With it’s distinctive black, fine, long, down-curved bill and striking bands of browns and red on the male, the gorgeous Western Spinebill is found in the lower southwest mainland of the State from Jurien Bay to Israelite Bay.