Spotted wood owls (Strix occidentalis) are medium-sized owls native to North America. They live in forests across much of western Canada, the western United States, and parts of Mexico. Here’s a quick overview of where spotted wood owls make their homes:
Canada
Spotted wood owls live in forests across much of western Canada. Their range extends from southern Yukon and British Columbia down to southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They are found in both coniferous and mixed forests within this region.
United States
In the contiguous United States, spotted wood owls range through many western states. Their breeding grounds extend from Washington and Oregon south through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and into western Texas.
Disjunct populations also occur in parts of the upper Midwest, including western Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa.
Mexico
Spotted wood owls live in isolated mountain ranges in northern and central Mexico. States where they can be found include Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Hidalgo, Veracruz and Puebla.
Habitats
Within their broad geographic range, spotted wood owls inhabit various types of forested areas including:
- Coniferous forests dominated by species like Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, and redwoods
- Mixed forests containing both coniferous and deciduous tree species
- Riparian woodlands along rivers and streams
- Oak and pinyon-juniper woodlands
In general, they prefer forests with an open understory that allows them to easily hunt prey on the ground. They tend to avoid dense, wet forests in favor of drier woodlands.
Nesting Habits
Spotted wood owls nest in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, and sometimes artificial nest boxes. They do not excavate their own nests. Nest sites are typically 15-40 feet above ground in the broken top of a large snag or live tree. Trees used for nesting average 16-33 inches in diameter.
Spotted wood owls are strongly territorial but do not build their own nests. They rely on existing cavities, including old nests made by pileated woodpeckers and northern flickers. They will also readily accept artificial nest boxes of the appropriate size.
Range Maps
Here are some maps illustrating the breeding and year-round range of spotted wood owls in North America:
Breeding Range
This map shows the breeding grounds (in purple) of spotted wood owls across Canada, the western U.S., and northern Mexico. As you can see, their breeding range covers much of western North America.
Year-Round Range
This second map shows the year-round range of spotted wood owls. Their range constricts in winter (shown in blue), but they can be found across much of the western and upper Midwest regions all year.
Territory Size
Spotted wood owls are territorial and remain in the same general area year-round. However, territories vary in size based on habitat quality and prey availability:
- High quality habitats: 50-300 acres per pair
- Lower quality habitats: 300-1,000 acres per pair
Nests are typically spaced about 1 mile apart in optimal habitat. Home ranges may overlap at their edges but core areas are defended from intrusion by other spotted wood owls.
Preferred Prey
Spotted wood owls are opportunistic hunters and eat a wide variety of small mammal prey including:
Prey Type | Examples |
---|---|
Rodents | Woodrats, mice, voles, squirrels, gophers |
Lagomorphs | Cottontail rabbits, hares, pikas |
Insects | Beetles, crickets, grasshoppers |
Other | Bats, small birds |
They hunt mainly at night by perching and waiting to ambush prey. Their main senses for locating prey are exceptionally good vision and hearing.
Threats and Conservation Status
Spotted wood owls are listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Their widespread range and large global population size mean they are not currently vulnerable to extinction.
However, localized threats include:
- Habitat loss from logging, urbanization, and land conversion
- Climate change altering forest composition in some regions
- Competition with barred owls in some areas of range overlap
- Vehicle collisions in areas near roads
Ongoing conservation practices include protecting nesting sites, preserving intact forest habitat, and public education programs about living with these owls.
Conclusion
In summary, spotted wood owls occupy a wide range across western and upper Midwestern North America. They live in various forested habitats where they can find adequate tree cavities for nesting and access to small mammal prey. Though not globally threatened, local habitat protection and preservation of nest sites are important for maintaining stable populations of these charismatic forest owls.