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− | [[Image:Spotted_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Near Olema, [[California]], March 2003]] | + | [[Image:Spotted_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|''Strix occidentalis caurina''<br />Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Near Olema, Marin County, [[California]], March 2003]] |
;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis | ;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
− | + | Length 40–48 cm (16-19 in), wingspan 100-110 cm, weight (male) 520-700 g, (female) 550-760 g | |
*Cross-shaped markings on underparts | *Cross-shaped markings on underparts | ||
*Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white | *Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white | ||
Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
*Blackish-brown claws | *Blackish-brown claws | ||
*Feathered feet | *Feathered feet | ||
+ | ====Similar species==== | ||
+ | The closely related [[Barred Owl]] is slightly larger, with barred upper breast and streaked lower breast, rather than spotted, and with a more orangey-yellow bill. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | Western [[North America|North]] and [[Central America]]: found in [[Canada]] | + | Western [[North America|North]] and [[Central America]]: found in [[Canada]] (southwestern [[British Columbia]]), the [[USA]] ([[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]], [[Oregon]], [[Texas]], [[Utah]], [[Washington]]), and [[Mexico]] (mountain forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental). |
− | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
− | [[Image:Owl-Mexican-Spotted-AZ-Miller-DSCN1523 copy 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juveniles, subspecies ''lucida''<br />Photo by {{user|Brian+Hubbs|Brian Hubbs}}<br /> | + | [[Image:Owl-Mexican-Spotted-AZ-Miller-DSCN1523 copy 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juveniles, subspecies ''S. o. lucida''<br />Photo by {{user|Brian+Hubbs|Brian Hubbs}}<br />Southeast [[Arizona]], July 2016]] |
− | There are 3 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | + | There are 3 or 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> |
− | *''S. o. caurina'': '''Northern''': | + | *''S. o. caurina'': '''Northern Spotted Owl''': |
− | :*Temperate | + | :*Temperate rainforests from southwestern [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]] |
− | *''S. o. occidentalis'': '''California''': | + | *''S. o. occidentalis'': '''California Spotted Owl''': |
:*Mountains of southern [[California]] to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir) | :*Mountains of southern [[California]] to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir) | ||
− | *''S. o. lucida'': '''Mexican''': | + | *''S. o. lucida'': '''Mexican Spotted Owl''': |
− | :*Mountains of | + | :*Mountains of southwestern [[US]] to central [[Mexico]] (Michoacán and Guanajuato) |
+ | *''S. o. juanaphillipsae'': '''Southern Mexican Spotted Owl''': | ||
+ | :*Mountains of south-central Mexico (treated as distinct by IOC<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>; included in ''S. o. lucida'' by other authorities) | ||
+ | |||
+ | The last 1(-2) subspecies may be better treated as a separate species ''S. lucida''<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>, though this has not yet been done by any of the standard lists. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
− | Mixed forests of Redwood, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons. | + | Mixed forests of Redwood, Spruce, Douglas-fir, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons. The two northwestern subspecies are restricted to extensive old-growth forests, and are now endangered as a result of forest clearance allowing the larger and more aggressive [[Barred Owl]] (which is more tolerant of disturbed habitats) to colonise and displace them from much of their range<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. A further problem is hybridisation between the two species<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
They nest 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. | They nest 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==== | ====Diet==== | ||
− | They are strictly nocturnal and the diet consists of small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and | + | They are strictly nocturnal and the diet consists of small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and voles. The northwestern subspecies catch most of their prey in trees, taking relatively little ground-dwelling prey; the southeastern subspecies takes much more ground-dwelling prey, particularly woodrats (''Neotoma'' spp.)<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#Avibase | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker16V6.3}}#König, C., Weick, F., & Becking, J-H. (2008). ''Owls of the World''. Helm. |
+ | #Avibase | ||
#owling.com | #owling.com | ||
#BF Member observations | #BF Member observations |
Revision as of 16:03, 19 August 2016
- Strix occidentalis
Identification
Length 40–48 cm (16-19 in), wingspan 100-110 cm, weight (male) 520-700 g, (female) 550-760 g
- 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
Similar species
The closely related Barred Owl is slightly larger, with barred upper breast and streaked lower breast, rather than spotted, and with a more orangey-yellow bill.
Distribution
Western North and Central America: found in Canada (southwestern British Columbia), the USA (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington), and Mexico (mountain forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental).
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 3 or 4 subspecies[1][2]
- S. o. caurina: Northern Spotted Owl:
- Temperate rainforests from southwestern British Columbia to northern California
- S. o. occidentalis: California Spotted Owl:
- Mountains of southern California to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir)
- S. o. lucida: Mexican Spotted Owl:
- S. o. juanaphillipsae: Southern Mexican Spotted Owl:
- Mountains of south-central Mexico (treated as distinct by IOC[2]; included in S. o. lucida by other authorities)
The last 1(-2) subspecies may be better treated as a separate species S. lucida[3], though this has not yet been done by any of the standard lists.
Habitat
Mixed forests of Redwood, Spruce, Douglas-fir, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons. The two northwestern subspecies are restricted to extensive old-growth forests, and are now endangered as a result of forest clearance allowing the larger and more aggressive Barred Owl (which is more tolerant of disturbed habitats) to colonise and displace them from much of their range[3]. A further problem is hybridisation between the two species[3].
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest 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
They are strictly nocturnal and the diet consists of small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and voles. The northwestern subspecies catch most of their prey in trees, taking relatively little ground-dwelling prey; the southeastern subspecies takes much more ground-dwelling prey, particularly woodrats (Neotoma spp.)[3].
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2016. IOC World Bird Names (version 6.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- König, C., Weick, F., & Becking, J-H. (2008). Owls of the World. Helm.
- Avibase
- owling.com
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Spotted Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Spotted_Owl