Bird · GBIF taxon 2497487
Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalisAlso known as Western Spotted Owl
Spotted owls drift silently through dense multi-layered canopy stands of ancient western forests, relying on acute hearing to locate prey in total darkness. Monogamous pairs defend lifelong territories and communicate using a signature four-note bark that echoes through deep mountain valleys. Destruction of old-growth forest alongside competition from expanding barred owl populations presents severe challenges to their survival.
NocturnalOld-Growth SpecialistRaptor
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Northern Flying Squirrel
- Dusky-footed Woodrat
- Red Tree Vole
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Northern Goshawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
ThreatsHabitat loss from logging, wildfire, and competition with barred owls
HabitatsOld-growth and mature coniferous or mixed forests
Life span15 to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyStrigidae
- SpeciesStrix occidentalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses sharp talons and beak; observe from a distance and avoid disturbing active nests.
- What to notice
- Recognized by dark brown plumage with white spotted markings, dark eyes, and a smooth rounded head.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters, stay on established trails, and never broadcast vocal lures.
Responsible observation
- Listening at Night: Listen for their distinctive four-note whistle in quiet old-growth stands during late spring.
- Nesting Disturbance: Maintain a wide buffer around potential nest sites to avoid displacing incubating adults.
- Lighting Guidelines: Avoid using bright flashlights or spotlights, which disrupt nocturnal visual acuity.
Competitor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · cc0
Prey (c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator "Great Horned Owl, the first I've seen in decent light this year. Didn't want to disturb it for too long so we continued along the trail" by island deborah- is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) caroline legg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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