From Opus

Strix occidentalis

Photo by blubird
Near Olema, California, March 2003

[edit] Identification

43cm

• 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

[edit] Distribution

Western North and Central America: found in Canada, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington
Central America: Mexico

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

• S. o. caurina: Northern:

• Temperate forests from southern British Columbia to northern California

• S. o. occidentalis: California:

• Mountains of southern California to northern Baja (San Pedro Mártir)

• S. o. lucida: Mexican:

• Mountains of south-western US to central Mexico (Michoacán and Guanajuato)

[edit] Habitat

Mixed forests of Redwood, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It nests 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.

[edit] Diet

It is strictly nocturnal and the diet includes small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and moles.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Avibase
3. owling.com
4. BF Member observations

• List of references

[edit] External Links