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
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformesa |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Strix |
| Species | S. occidentalis |
| Scientific Name | Strix occidentalis caurina |
Quick Information
| Other names | Tecolotemoteado (Spanish)
Chouettetachetee (French) |
| Size | Height and Length: Approximately 18 inches |
| Wingspan | 48 inches |
| Weight | 1-2 lbs |
| Color | Dark brown with white oval spots on chest and belly |
| Distribution | Washington, Northern California, Oregon, British Columbia |
| Habitat | Old growth forests, Douglas- fir forest with high canopy layers and snags |
| Nesting | February or March |
| Sounds | Thirteen different hooting, barking, and whistling calls |
| Lifespan | 10 years; 15-20 years (captivity) |
| What do they eat | Wood rats, flying squirrels, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects |
| Adaptation | Thick feathers provide insulation against cold, strong beak used for hunting, asymmetrically set ears for improved hearing |
| Clutch size | 2-3 eggs |
| Number of broods | 1 – 2 chicks each season |
| Incubation period | 30 days |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Near 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:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_spotted_owl
- https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/spotted_owl/lifehistory
- https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/strix-occidentalis-caurina
- https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Northern-Spotted-Owl
- 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 2022.
