(Photo captions. Attempt to disguise copied text. Photo caption. Distribution expanded. References) |
(Image first. Imp sizes. Picture of Mexican juveniles) |
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| + | [[Image:Spotted_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Near Olema, [[California]], March 2003]] | ||
;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis | ;[[:Category:Strix|Strix]] occidentalis | ||
| − | + | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 41–48 cm (16-19 in) | |
*Cross-shaped markings on underparts | *Cross-shaped markings on underparts | ||
*Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white | *Head and upper parts brown irregularly spotted with white | ||
| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
'''Central America''': [[Mexico]] | '''Central America''': [[Mexico]] | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | + | ====Subspecies==== |
| + | [[Image:Owl-Mexican-Spotted-AZ-Miller-DSCN1523 copy 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juveniles, subspecies ''lucida''<br />Photo by {{user|Brian+Hubbs|Brian Hubbs}}<br />South-east [[Arizona]], July 2016]] | ||
| + | There are 3 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | ||
*''S. o. caurina'': '''Northern''': | *''S. o. caurina'': '''Northern''': | ||
:*Temperate forests from southern [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]] | :*Temperate forests from southern [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]] | ||
| Line 29: | Line 32: | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | + | They nest 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. | |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | + | They are strictly nocturnal and the diet consists of small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and moles. | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#Avibase |
#owling.com | #owling.com | ||
#BF Member observations | #BF Member observations | ||
Revision as of 23:16, 18 August 2016
- Strix occidentalis
Identification
41–48 cm (16-19 in)
- 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
Distribution
Western North and Central America: found in Canada, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington
Central America: Mexico
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 3 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:
Habitat
Mixed forests of Redwood, Oak, etc. Wooded mountain canyons.
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest 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.
Diet
They are strictly nocturnal and the diet consists of small mammals and birds, flying squirrels, wood rats, hares, rabbits, mice and moles.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- owling.com
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Spotted Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Spotted_Owl
