The Northern Spotted Owl

Photo USFWS

The Northern Spotted Owl is found in the northern part of California, Oregon, Washington and southwest British Columbia. It needs for its survival areas of old-growth forests which are becoming rare.

The Northern Spotted Owl lays 1 or 2 eggs in its nest in April. These hatch after about 28 days. The female does all the sitting on the eggs while her mate goes in search of food. The owlets fledge in June and remain with their parents for several months.

The owls do not normally breed untill they are two or three years old. They are monogamous and they pair for life. They can live to about 15 years old.

Sadly the Northern Spotted Owl is a threatened species. Destruction of the old forest areas in which it breeds has caused it to decline. It is now listed under the US Endangered Species Act.