Spotted Owl

Near Threatened

Strix occidentalis

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Spotted owls are a species of intense conservation concern across North America. Numbers have declined steeply since the increase in logging activities across the Pacific Northwest from the 1970s onwards. Populations have now reached worryingly low levels, with only an estimated 6000 to 15,000 individuals believed to remain in the wild.

Visual Identification

Spotted Owl

Spotted Owl

Appearance

The Spotted Owl is a medium-sized owl with dark and light brown plumage covered in white spots. Its round head lacks ear tufts, and it has large, dark eyes surrounded by prominent facial disks. Their eyes are dark brown, and their bill is yellow.

Subspecies found to the north are darker brown than those in southern regions, which are a much lighter shade.

Both males and females share similar coloration, with females slightly larger. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a more reddish-brown tint and less distinct spotting, as well as more of a 'fluffy' appearance.

Size

Length

41cm to 48cm

Wingspan

107cm to 114cm

Weight

518g to 760g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Buff

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Spotted Owls inhabit old-growth and mature forests across western North America, from British Columbia to Mexico. They prefer dense, multi-layered canopies with large trees and numerous snags.

In the United States, they are found in the Pacific Northwest, California, and parts of the Southwest. Their range extends into Canada's southern British Columbia and south into Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,700 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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Resident

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 60
Adaptability 70
Aggressiveness 40
Endurance 65

Diet

Spotted Owls primarily feed on small mammals, particularly flying squirrels and dusky-footed woodrats. They also consume other rodents, rabbits,, voles, moles, bats, and occasionally small birds.

These owls hunt silently, using their acute hearing and sight to locate prey in the dark forest understory. Prey is spotted from perches, and spotted owls swoop silently in pursuit, grabbing with their sharp talons and snapping the animal’s neck with their powerful bills.

Behaviour

Spotted Owls are primarily nocturnal, roosting in dense forest canopies during the day. They hunt by perching on branches and swooping down on prey.

These owls are generally solitary but form strong, long-term pair bonds during the breeding season.

Vocalisation

The Spotted Owl's most recognizable call is a series of four hoots, often described as "hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo," with the last note drawn out and lower in pitch.

They also produce a variety of whistles, barks, and screeches, particularly during courtship or when defending territory. The contact call heard mainly from nesting females, is a hollow two-note whistle that sounds like ‘cooo-weep’.

Nesting & Breeding

Spotted Owls typically form monogamous pairs and begin breeding between 2-5 years of age. The breeding season usually starts in early spring, with courtship involving mutual preening and food sharing.

These owls don't build nests but use natural cavities, broken tree tops, or abandoned raptor nests. Females lay 2-3 white to light-gray eggs, incubated by the female for about 30 days.

Both parents care for the young, which fledge at about 35-42 days but remain dependent on their parents for several months. Spotted Owls typically raise one brood per year.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 15 - years
Max Recorded Lifespan 25 years [1]
0
7
14
20
27

years

The Spotted Owl typically lives for 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 25 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened [2]

Spotted Owls face significant threats due to habitat loss from logging and forest fragmentation. Competition with the invasive Barred Owl further challenges their survival.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting old-growth forests and managing Barred Owl populations in key areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

15,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[4]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Spotted Owls in old-growth forests with dense canopy cover
  • Listen for their distinctive four-note hooting call at night
  • Search for whitewash and pellets beneath large trees to locate roosting sites
  • Use playback sparingly and responsibly, as these owls are sensitive to disturbance

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

California Spotted Owl, Mexican Spotted Owl, Northern Spotted Owl

Family:

Strigidae

Predators

Great Horned Owls are the primary predators of adult Spotted Owls, while raccoons, fishers, and Northern Goshawks may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Spotted Owls can live up to 17 years in the wild, with some individuals recorded living even longer.
  2. They have asymmetrical ear openings, which allows for precise sound localization when hunting.
  3. Spotted Owls are considered an indicator species for the health of old-growth forest ecosystems.

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FAQs

What is the spotted owl controversy?

The Spotted Owl Controversy refers to a long-running political and environmental dispute in the Pacific Northwest, which emerged in the 1980s.

Extensive logging and timber harvesting of old-growth forests in this region were noticeably negatively impacting the population of spotted owls, and increased protection laws were introduced to protect the species, including a ‘Threatened Species’ designation under the Endangered Species Act.

Disputes arose between the logging industry workers and conservationists after restrictions on timber harvests were introduced in the region in line with the conservation laws, leading to job losses and financial hardship for some local workers and businesses. Tensions rose and it continues to be a challenge to find a balance between conservation and economic activity in the area.

Is the spotted owl still an endangered species?

Northern spotted owls are a designated endangered species in Canada and a threatened species in the US. California spotted owls are listed at a state level as a species of conservation concern.

Further south, Mexican spotted owls are recognized as a threatened species in both the US and Mexico. Overall, spotted owls are classified as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN.

References

  1. 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2020. Strix occidentalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22689089A180937862.

    View source
  2. 4

    report, 2019: Partners in Flight

  3. 3

    website, 2022: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 1

    website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish

    View source