Notes

NEAT FACTS: The northern spotted owl is one subspecies of spotted owl. Like mostly all spotted owls, the northern spotted owl lives in old-growth forests.Although it may be often considered to be a medium-sized owl, the northern spotted owl ranks among the largest in North America. The northern spotted owl is a darker chestnut brown in color and sports round or oval white spots on its head, neck, back and other parts. Its flight feathers are also darker brown and may also be with light brown or a white color.
Diet:
Northern spotted owls are very great hunters and eat flying squirrels, wood rats, mice and other small rodents. They are also known to eat birds, insects and reptiles.Range
Northern spotted owls are typically found in old growth forests of northern California and the Pacific Northwest of the United States, as well as in southern parts of British Columbia, Canada.

Behavior
Northern spotted owls are very territorial and intolerant of habitat disturbance. They prefer old-growth forests with tree canopies that are high and open enough for the owls to fly between and underneath the trees. Preferred areas have large trees with broken tops, deformed limbs or large holes used as nesting sites.

Did You Know?

The spotted owl serves as an "indicator species" for old-growth forests, meaning scientists study it to get a larger picture of the health of the ecosystem in which it lives.