Mexican Spotted Owl
DONATE NOW TO THE WHARRYFEST.COM FUND!
Unlike most owls, Mexican spotted owls have dark eyes. The Mexican spotted owl is an ashy-chestnut brown color with white and brown spots on its abdomen, back and head. The spots of this subspecies of spotted owl are bigger than the spots of the other two subspecies, California and Northern spotted owls, making the Mexican spotted owls appear lighter than their relatives. Their brown tails are marked with thin white bands. This owl is one of the largest owls in North America.
Height 16-19 inches
Length 17 inches (wingspan of 42-45 inches)
Weight 1.2-1.4 lbs; males smaller than females
Lifespan 16-17 years in the wild
Diet
Wood rats, mice, voles, rabbits, gophers, bats, birds, reptiles and arthropods
Population
In the U.S., there are an estimated 2,106 Mexican spotted owls. Numbers in Mexico are also dangerously low.
Range
Mexican spotted owls have the largest geographic distribution of all spotted owl subspecies. They can be found in forested mountains and canyons from southern Utah and Colorado to the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas and even into the mountains of northern and central Mexico.
Behavior
Mexican spotted owls inhabit forested mountains and canyons with mature trees that create high, closed canopies, which are good for nesting. They prefer old-growth forests, and the distribution of spotted owls correlates with the distribution of forest land that has been protected from destruction and logging. Spotted owls remain in one place unless harsh winters and heavy snows force them to move downslope in mountainous regions. In milder areas, winter ranges may expand to increase prey availability. They are described as "perch and pounce" predators, typically locating their prey from an elevated perch by sight or sound, then pouncing on the prey and capturing it with their talons.
Reproduction
Mating Season Mid February to March
Gestation Around 2 months
Clutch size 2-4 eggs
Most nest sites are natural tree cavities, although Mexican spotted owls also use caves, potholes in cliff ledges and stick nests built by other birds. The young leave the nest at 32-36 days old to perch on surrounding branches, and can fly short distances at 40-45 days. Three weeks after leaving the nest, the young can use their talons to hold and tear prey on their own. Survival rate for the young is low.
Threats
The Mexican spotted owl is threatened by the loss of old growth forests (its preferred habitat) throughout its range, starvation and fire. They are also affected by Barred Owl encroachment, great horned owl predation, low reproductive success and low juvenile survival rates.
Legal Status/Protection
*Endangered Species Act, **CITES Appendix II
* The Endangered Species Act requires the U.S. federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.
**Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.