From New Mexico Wildlife Center
Happy Halloween! In today's Creature Feature, we're highlighting a species that faces the scariest threat of all: extinction. There are three subspecies of Spotted Owl, two of which are listed as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, and the other is a Species of Special Concern in its native California. New Mexico is home to one of the Threatened subspecies, the Mexican Spotted Owl.
Spotted Owls are medium-sized owls with a prominent round facial disc and dark eyes. Their feathers are brown with pale spots, perfect for camouflage in a dense forest. Mexican Spotted Owls are the lightest-colored subspecies; in this photo of former NMWC Ambassador Animal Manchado you can see the almost golden color that sets them apart from the chocolate-colored Northern Spotted Owl!
Spotted Owls have very specific habitat requirements; they strongly prefer living in old-growth forests with dense cover created by large trees. Conservation of these habitats is critical to the survival of the species, and the human practice of logging has famously put these owls at risk Spotted Owls sometimes nest in tree cavities or the tops of broken tree snags, which means they rely on the availability of trees old and large enough to nest in. Mexican Spotted Owls in particular also nest on cliffs or in bunches of mistletoe on trees.
Unlike their close Barred Owl relatives, who eat a wide variety of prey types, Spotted Owls eat almost exclusively small mammals like rodents, rabbits, and bats. Native species like wood rats, bats, and deer mice make up most of the diet of Mexican Spotted Owls. Spotted Owls are not especially big raptors - they weigh about a pound and a quarter - so they focus their hunting efforts on the small mammals that also call dense forests home
Habitat loss is the main threat to Spotted Owls, along with the increased presence of larger and bolder Bared Owls in habitats where Northern Spotted Owls live. Like all raptors, Spotted Owls also face dangers related to human presence, such as vehicle collisions and environmental contamination. Keeping their habitats clean, safe, and intact is the best way to ensure the continued survival of this vulnerable species.
I've got 2 long articles in going to share tomorrow that take a critical look at the ongoing Spotted vs Barred Owl debate for those that enjoy the long reads.
Their overall message I agree with, but they come from a very opposite direction than my own and have given me much to consider. Check back this weekend to see those. I look forward to your opinions.
