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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Northern Spotted Owl

Northern Spotted Owl

The Northern Spotted Owl, one of the three subspecies of spotted owls, is a western North American bird with a barred tail and spotted head.

Northern Spotted Owls

Scientific Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformesa
FamilyStrigidae
GenusStrix
SpeciesS. occidentalis
Scientific NameStrix occidentalis caurina

Quick Information

Other namesTecolotemoteado (Spanish)

Chouettetachetee (French)

SizeHeight and Length: Approximately 18 inches
Wingspan 48 inches
Weight 1-2 lbs
ColorDark brown with white oval spots on chest and belly
DistributionWashington, Northern California, Oregon, British Columbia
HabitatOld growth forests, Douglas- fir forest with high canopy layers and snags
NestingFebruary or March
SoundsThirteen different hooting, barking, and whistling calls
Lifespan10 years; 15-20 years (captivity)
What do they eatWood rats, flying squirrels, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects
AdaptationThick feathers provide insulation against cold, strong beak used for hunting, asymmetrically set ears for improved hearing
Clutch size2-3 eggs
Number of broods1 – 2 chicks each season
Incubation period30 days
IUCN Conservation StatusNear threatened

Northern Spotted Owl

Northern Spotted Owl Range

Behavior

Intolerant towards habitat disturbance, a Northern Spotted owl couple requires a large amount of land for hunting as well as for nesting. They won’t migrate unless they come across drastic climatic changes like heavy snowfall which makes hunting difficult for them.

The nocturnal predators have a distinct flight pattern involving series of rapid wingbeats combined with gliding flight which provides stealth while hunting their prey.

Northern Spotted Owl Pictures

Northern Spotted Owl Images

Breeding and Nesting

Northern spotted owls are ready to breed at the age of two however they do not reproduce till they are three years of age. The mating takes place in February or March while they nest in tree cavities, broken-topped trees, and platforms from March-April.

Northern Spotted Owl Habitat

Northern Spotted Owl Flying

Lifecycle

After hatching, the young ones remain in the nest where a female owl takes care of them till they fledge in 34-36 days. The male hunts and feeds his offspring during this period.

The young owls stay with the parents until late summer or fall after which they leave the nest and form their winter feeding range.

Northern Spotted Owl Food Web

Northern Spotted Owl Baby

Controversy

After years of agitated negotiations between the logging industry, government, and conservationists, the northern spotted owl was designated as an endangered species. The environmentalists blamed the loggers for the decline of owl population, whereas the loggers retorted that they suffered from a loss of jobs due to the owl’s endangered status.

However, in 2011, a recovery plan was chalked out to conserve the owls by U.S Fish and Wildlife service with three points that included protecting their remaining habitat, restoring forest area via active management and reducing competition from encroaching the owl’s area.

Interesting Facts

  • These birds are an indicator species which means that their existence in the old growth forests is a sign of healthy ecosystem.
  • They are one of the owl species that have dark eyes.

Reference:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_spotted_owl
  2. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/spotted_owl/lifehistory
  3. https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/strix-occidentalis-caurina
  4. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Northern-Spotted-Owl
  5. https://www.nps.gov/muwo/learn/nature/northern-spotted-owls.htm

Published on January 28th 2017 by Bony Palchaudhuri under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2024.

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