SPOTTED OWL

The 'Spotted Owl', ''Strix occidentalis'', is a species of owl. It is a resident species of forests in western North America, where it nests in tree holes, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between 13 and 66 yards (12 to 60 meters) high and usually contain two eggs (though some will contain as many as four). It is a strictly nocturnal owl, which feeds on small mammals and birds.
This owl has a length of 43 cm (17 inches), a wingspan of 114 cm (45 inches, and a weight of around 600 g (21 ounces). Its eggs are a little over 2 inches (50 millimeters) long, and are white and smooth with a slightly grainy texture. The female sits on the eggs and cares for the young, while the male provides food for them.
The three sub-species of ''Strix occidentalis'' are ''Strix occidentalis caurina'' (Northern Spotted Owl), ''Strix occidentalis occidentalis'', and ''Strix occidentalis lucida'' (often referred to as the 'Mexican Spotted Owl').^[1] The Gila Wilderness is home to the largest population of the Mexican sub-species.^[2]
The Spotted Owl is similar to the Barred Owl but has cross-shaped markings on the underparts where the Barred Owl is alternately barred on the breast and streaked on the belly. Barred Owls are grayer than Spotted Owls. In recent years the California and northern subspecies have been displaced by barred owls.
One regionalism for the spotted owl is the "Pootie Owl." It is known by some other names in isolated areas, with the roots of said names unknown.

Contents

Citations

References

External links

Citations

1. Condor107:182
2. Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery Program at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

References

★ Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

External links

★ Read Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding the Spotted Owl

★ CBS News: Blasting Some Owls To Save Others? Government Proposes Selectively Killing Cousins Of Threatened Spotted Owls To Protect The Species

★ B.C.'s spotted owl near extinction Science advisory team recommends capturing and breeding remaining owls in British Columbia

★ Spotted Owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection

★ Spotted Owl photo gallery VIREO