Their Raptor Domain company is operating out of Vivonne Bay Eco-Adventures (formerly the Vivonne Bay Outdoor Education Centre) and contracting to Sealink. They are also open to the public and tour operators.

Dave and Leeza have built their own stadium and aviaries to mount the display, which involves up to 17 birds. Most were delivered orphaned, injured or sick to the Irwins who raised and trained them.

One such is Selena, the while-bellied sea eagle. She has been with Dave for 17 years and is the “princess” of the show. Selena is matched by the equally impressive but better tempered wedge-tailed eagle Jedda.

The show includes education about habitat, free-flight demonstrations and a chance for children to handle the smaller birds, such as owls, kookaburras and falcons.

The show includes insights into bird traits. Dave points out that the myth of owls being wise is just that. “They’re not the smartest birds,” he says. “But a falcon only takes a few weeks to train.”

Dave has been involved with birds since he was a boy, following in his father’s footsteps, and the new display at Vivonne Bay is the realisation of a long-term dream for the pair. The pair has worked at the Territory Wildlife Park in Darwin, where they started Australia’s first bird-of-prey show 20 years ago, and at Warrawong Sanctuary in the Adelaide Hills.