Photo: Brendan Sheean says powerful owls were classified as apex predators and mainly hunted tree-dwelling mammals. (ABC News: Adrienne Francis)

Bird enthusiasts are in a flutter after a rare sighting of Australia’s largest owl, the powerful owl, spotted devouring ringtail possums and sulphur-crested cockatoos in a suburban Canberra park.

The owl has taken up long-term residence in Haig Park near the CBD, and bird watchers from across the country and even overseas have flocked to catch a glimpse of it.

“It is classified as an apex predator, so what they will do is hunt a variety of food, mainly tree-dwelling mammals,” National Zoo and Aquarium senior keeper Brendan Sheean said.

Photo: Brendan Sheean said powerful owls were classified as apex predators and mainly hunted tree-dwelling mammals. (ABC News: Adrienne Francis)

Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG) member Terry Bell said the big predator had been caught on camera devouring sugar gliders and feathery cousins, like Canberra’s emblem bird the gang-gang cockatoo.

Source: Bird enthusiasts flock to see Australia’s largest owl devour ringtail possums, sulphur-crested cockatoos in suburban Canberra park – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)