Strix occidentalis ssp. caurina
State Status: Endangered since 1988 - Population size unknown
Distribution: Data collect from 1976-2011 shows there there were 1,070 known sites in Washington where they were present. Mostly in the Cascades and Olympics but have rarely been seen in the Puget Sound region.Almost exclusively associated with forests, the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis ssp. caurina) is one of three known subspecies of spotted owl and the only one found to live in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in conifer forests. They have been found at sea level and up to 3,000 feet on the Olympic Peninsula and up to 5,000 feet in Cascades. Ranging from southwest British Columbia to northern California.
Potential Range of the Northern Spotted Owl
Natural History: Known as "birds of the forest," spotted owls in western Washington occupy mature, old growth forests dominated by Douglas-fir, western hemlock, grand fir, western red cedar and other species of conifers that contain snags and fallen trees. Being birds of prey, their diet consists most of small mammals. They nest and roost in the canopy but never make their own nests, instead they use hollowed out crevices in snags or utilize an abandon nest from other raptors or sometimes squirrel nests. They usually lay two eggs after mating, not always mating every year. The female looks after the young while the male brings food back to the nest. They have been known to live for 17 years.
Threats: Habitat loss and competition with Barred Owls are the main threats this species is facing. Timber harvest and urbanization are the leading factors contributing habitat loss. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens is thought to have caused a large area of habitat loss.
Climate Change: Research shows that climate change has not directly threatened spotted owls but could threaten trees and forests they occupy in the future.
This species is vulnerable because their populations are in decline from the loss of habitat and the competition with Barred Owls. Actions are being made to protect and conserve spotted owl habitat and research is being made on the experiment of removing Barred Owls.
I chose this species because I really love owls, and have had few owl encounters in my life. Seeing a Great Horned Owl in the Cascades was quite amazing and quite a few Barred Owls in Seattle, one I saw that was just in the University District off of 50th. What surprised me learning about spotted owls was that they don't build there own nests, thought that was pretty interesting.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_owl
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01752/wdfw01752.pdf
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/species/northern_spotted_owl.pdf
Hey man, thanks for sharing this info with us, I also love owls and think they're awesome birds of prey. It's too bad this particular bird is becoming extremely rare, especially due to loss of habitat (deforestation) but it comes as no surprise, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI'm also surprised to learn they don't make their own nests!
First of all, what an amazing picture to lead off with! It is beautiful and spooky at the same time. It is so sad to see another species affected by deforestation and urbanization; it seems like every day we hear of more animals and wildlife being damaged by our ever-expanding presence. It is very interesting that Northern Spotted Owls do not make their own nests. Do they use nests at all? Do they just inhabit old nests or other animal's nests? Time to do some research of my own!
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