By Ann Emiley
Geographic Range
Old growth forests in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and northern California
Habitat
Northern Spotted Owls inhabit old growth forests and younger forests with remnants of larger trees. They prefer these forests because they provide a canopy forprotection from predators and the elements, large open spaces for flight, wood debris for nests, and old hollow trees for nesting sites.
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest 
.
Physical Description
medium-sized, brown owl. round or oval irregular white spots on head, neck, back, and underparts. no ear tufts. flight feathers dark brown barred with light brown or white. female larger than male.
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Northern Spotted Owls mate in pairs, usually for life. They nest in hollow trees or crevices in cliffs; spots that are well hidden and that provide protection from extreme temperatures. They sometimes use squirrel or raptor nests as platforms on which to build their own nests. Pairs form in February or March and egg laying takes place in March and April. They most commonly lay two to three white eggs. One brood is produced each season. Eggs are incubated for 30 days, and the young fledge 34-36 days after hatching. The female incubates the egg and broods the young for the first 8-10 days after hatching; during this period, the male brings her food. Some owls forage during the day to take care of the young at night.
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
Behavior
Each pair of owls need a large amount of land for their nesting and hunting grounds; pairs may occupy up to 40 sq. km (amount depends on the habitat). They are territorial. Northern Spotted Owls do not migrate, but they may shift their ranges slightly in response to seasonal changes. These owls have a distinctive flight pattern, involving a series of quick wingbeats interspersed with gliding flight.
Key behaviors:
flies; motile .
Food Habits
Northern Spotted Owls are nocturnal birds that feed primarily on small mammals, but also take birds, reptiles and insects. Northern flying squirrels are their main prey, but they also consume significant numbers of red tree voles, deer mice, and woodrats.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Since the owls became threatened in 1990, logging in old growth forests has been restricted, resulting in job loss and economic disruption in the Pacific northwest. This has become a very important political and economic issue.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
These birds play an important role in the food chain of old growth forests. The owls depend on a healthy diverse ecosystem for survival. They help keep the populations of their prey under control. They are also an attraction to birdwatchers, who bring in tourist dollars.
Conservation Status
Harvesting of old growth forests affects the owls by decreasing the area of appropriate habitat. Somewhere between 54% and 99% of appropriate habitat has been lost. Forests can be reinhabited 40-100 years after logging if snags, coarse debris, and some trees with cavities are left by loggers. Recently, the survival rate of the juveniles has also been a problem. Protecting old growth forests would protect these owls, but the human costs are high. Northern Spotted Owls have been studied extensively, and they are the subject of much current debate and litigation.
Other Comments
The Northern Spotted Owls are thought to live as long as ten years in the wild and up to 15-20 years in captivity.
For More Information
Find Strix occidentalis caurina information at
Contributors
Ann Emiley (author), University of Michigan.
