Fauna
Bird

Northern Spotted Owl

Strix occidentalis caurina

Also known as Spotted Owl

Northern spotted owls depend on old-growth coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, relying on dense multi-layered canopies and large hollow trees for nesting. Active predominantly at night, these territorial predators navigate dark forest understories to hunt small arboreal mammals. Declines driven by historic old-growth timber harvest and aggressive competition from invading barred owls make them a key focus of regional conservation efforts.

NocturnalPredatorOld-Growth Forest
Northern Spotted Owl reference1 / 7
(c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyNorthern Flying Squirrel, Dusky-footed Woodrat, Red Tree Vole
Predators
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Northern Goshawk
ThreatsHabitat destruction, timber harvesting, competition with barred owls, wildfire
HabitatsMature and old-growth coniferous forests, temperate rainforests
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyStrigidae
  2. SpeciesStrix occidentalis caurina
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild raptors possess sharp talons and beaks; keep a respectful distance and avoid nesting sites.
What to notice
Medium-sized dark brown owl covered in white spots, featuring large dark eyes, pale facial discs, and no ear tufts.
Support conservation
Observe from a distance, stay on established public trails, and never share exact location coordinates on public wildlife platforms.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Distance: Stay on designated forest trails to avoid disturbing roosting or nesting owls.
  • Listening Cue: Listen for their distinctive four-note barking call during calm, clear nights in mature forests.
  • Playback Avoidance: Never use recorded owl calls, as this causes severe stress and disrupts breeding behaviors.
Related species
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