eyes on the prize

This is a Southern Boobook, also known as a Mopoke (their call sounds like MoPoke), and the smallest and most common owl in Aus.
This dude came in to Kanyana a few days ago with a sore leg and damaged wing and is tucked up in a 'hot box' getting lots of tlc and mice.
Very keen on the 'pinkies' (swallowed whole like an oyster) he also had a very enthusiastic go at a small black velvet mouse...I hasten to add the mice are defrosted and not alive.

Not only a cutie but in the wild is very acrobatic in pursuit of dinner. When the chicks fledge and the family starts hunting together the mopoke call sound is replaced by a cricket call which apparently keeps the family together.