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Difference between revisions of "Spotted Owl" - BirdForum Opus

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(Photo captions. Attempt to disguise copied text. Photo caption. Distribution expanded. References)
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;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis
 
;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis
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[[Image:Spotted_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by blubird]]
+
[[Image:Spotted_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Near Olema, [[California]], March 2003]]
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
43cm.  Cross-shaped markings on the underparts.  Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white. Under parts buff with brown and white ovals or barring.  Large rounded facial disc that is pale brown with indistinct concentric rings of darker brown encircling the eyes. The facial rim or border is dark brown; lacks ear tufts; the bill is yellowish-green to straw coloured; iris dark brown; claws blackish-brown; feet feathered.
+
43cm
 +
*Cross-shaped markings on underparts
 +
*Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white
 +
*Under parts buff with brown and white ovals or barring
 +
*Large rounded facial disc
 +
:*Pale brown: indistinct concentric rings of darker brown encircling the eyes
 +
:*Dark brown facial rim or border
 +
*No ear tufts
 +
*Yellowish-green to straw coloured bill
 +
*Dark brown iris
 +
*Blackish-brown claws
 +
*Feathered feet  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
Western [[North America]].
+
Western [[North America|North]] and [[Central America]]: found in [[Canada]], [[British Columbia]], [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]], [[Oregon]], [[Texas]], [[Utah]], [[Washington]]<br />
 +
'''Central America''': [[Mexico]]
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
''S.o. caurina'' is the northern most race. It ranges along the West Coast from SW British Columbia to San Francisco in the coastal ranges.
+
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>====
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''S.o. occidentalis'' is found both along the west slope of the Sierras in California and in the coastal ranges from San Francisco to San Diego.
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*''S. o. caurina'': '''Northern''':
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''S.o. lucida'' ranges from S. Utah south through Arizona, New Mexico, and W. Texas down into Central Mexico.
+
:*Temperate forests from southern [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]]
 +
*''S. o. occidentalis'': '''California''':
 +
:*Mountains of southern [[California]] to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir)
 +
*''S. o. lucida'': '''Mexican''':
 +
:*Mountains of south-western [[US]] to central [[Mexico]] (Michoacán and Guanajuato)
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
−
Forests.
+
Mixed forests of Redwood, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
−
It nests in tree holes, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices.  2 white smooth eggs are laid and are incubated by the female for 28-32 days, who also cares for the young.  The male brings food.
+
====Breeding====
−
 
+
It nests in tree holes, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices.  The 2 white smooth eggs are incubated by the female for 28-32 days, who also cares for the young.  The male brings food.
−
It is strictly nocturnal and the diet includes small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, and/or rabbits, mice and moles.
+
====Diet====
 +
It is strictly nocturnal and the diet includes small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and moles.
 +
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#Avibase
 +
#owling.com
 +
#BF Member observations
 +
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
{{GSearch|Strix+occidentalis}}
 
{{GSearch|Strix+occidentalis}}
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Strix]]
 
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Strix]]

Revision as of 12:18, 28 June 2010

Strix occidentalis
Photo by blubird
Near Olema, California, March 2003

Identification

43cm

  • Cross-shaped markings on underparts
  • Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white
  • Under parts buff with brown and white ovals or barring
  • Large rounded facial disc
  • Pale brown: indistinct concentric rings of darker brown encircling the eyes
  • Dark brown facial rim or border
  • No ear tufts
  • Yellowish-green to straw coloured bill
  • Dark brown iris
  • Blackish-brown claws
  • Feathered feet

Distribution

Western North and Central America: found in Canada, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington
Central America: Mexico

Taxonomy

Subspecies[1]

  • S. o. caurina: Northern:
  • S. o. occidentalis: California:
  • Mountains of southern California to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir)
  • S. o. lucida: Mexican:
  • Mountains of south-western US to central Mexico (Michoacán and Guanajuato)

Habitat

Mixed forests of Redwood, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons.

Behaviour

Breeding

It nests in tree holes, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. The 2 white smooth eggs are incubated by the female for 28-32 days, who also cares for the young. The male brings food.

Diet

It is strictly nocturnal and the diet includes small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and moles.

References

  1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
  2. Avibase
  3. owling.com
  4. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links

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