About the Spotted Owl
The spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) is a species of true owl. It is a resident species of old-growth forests in western North America, where it nests in tree hollows, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between 12 and 60 metres (40 and 200 ft) from the ground, and usually contain two eggs (though some contain as many as four). It is a nocturnal owl which feeds on small mammals and birds. Three subspecies are recognized, ranging in distribution from British Columbia to Mexico. The spotted owl is under pressure from habitat destruction throughout its range, and is currently classified as a near-threatened species.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Strix occidentalis
- Family
- Owls
- Order
- Strigiformes
Similar species
Other members of the owls family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Balsas Screech-Owl Megascops seductus
- Barred Owl Strix varia
- Bearded Screech-Owl Megascops barbarus
- Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata
- Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
- Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
- Central American Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium griseiceps
- Cinereous Owl Strix sartorii
- Colima Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium palmarum
- Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata
- Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio
- Elf Owl Micrathene whitneyi
Know when the Spotted Owl turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting Spotted Owl
Optics
Best Binoculars for Beginners
You don't need to spend a fortune. These four pairs will get you birding confidently on day one.
8 min readRead guide
Cameras
Cameras for Bird Photography
From phone adapters to dedicated rigs, here's what actually works for capturing birds in the field.
12 min readRead guide