Height
3 meters
Year Built
2018
Address
Belconnen Town Centre, ACT 2617
The Lowdown
The Big Powerful Owl in Belconnen celebrates Australia's largest owl - the powerful owl, which can grow up to 65cm tall with piercing yellow eyes and impressive talons. This striking sculpture captures the owl's formidable presence, with its characteristic staring eyes and strong features that have made it one of Australia's most impressive raptors. Powerful owls are native to the eucalypt forests of eastern Australia and have adapted to urban environments, including Canberra's bushland suburbs where they hunt possums and gliders at night. The Big Powerful Owl raises awareness of this magnificent but often overlooked predator that shares our cities.
Did you know?
"Powerful owls mate for life and use the same territory for decades"
History
The Big Powerful Owl was installed around 2018 to celebrate Canberra's remarkable wildlife. Despite being a busy city, Canberra maintains significant bushland corridors where powerful owls thrive. The sculpture raises awareness of these magnificent nocturnal hunters that many residents never see.
More Fun Facts
- •Powerful owls are Australia's largest owl at up to 65cm tall
- •They are strong enough to carry prey weighing up to 2kg, including possums
- •Powerful owls mate for life and use the same territory for decades
- •They are mostly silent except during breeding season
- •Canberra's bushland supports a healthy powerful owl population
Visiting Tips
- 💡Powerful owls are nocturnal - you're unlikely to see real ones by day
- 💡Canberra nature parks offer night walks during owl breeding season
- 💡Listen for their 'woo-hoo' call at dusk in bushland areas
- 💡Belconnen has Lake Ginninderra nearby for a nature walk
- 💡The National Zoo and Aquarium has captive powerful owls
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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The Big Acorns
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The Big Ant
A giant bull ant sculpture in Augathella, Queensland, celebrating the resilient insects of outback Australia.