California Spotted Owl

The California spotted owl is a subspecies of spotted owl that occurs throughout the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and Nevada; in southern and coastal California in the Coastal, Transverse, and Peninsular mountain ranges; and in Sierra San Pedro Martir in Baja California Norte, Mexico. California spotted owls are mostly found on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. 

California spotted owls generally inhabit older forests that contain structural characteristics necessary for nesting, roosting, and foraging. In the Sierra Nevada range, a majority of California spotted owls occur within mid-elevation ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, white fir, and mixed-evergreen forest types, with fewer owls occurring in the lower elevation oak woodlands of the western foothills. On the central coast of California and in southern California, the owls are found in riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian /hardwood forests and woodlands, live oak/big cone fir forests, and redwood/California laurel forests. Nests are typically found in areas of high canopy cover, a high number of large trees, and downed trees. 
 

The California spotted owl is a medium-sized brown owl with white spots on its head and chest and a barred tail. It has dark brown eyes surrounded by large facial disks and a yellow bill. Females are slightly larger than males.

• Length: 18.3– 19.0 inches (46.6–48.3 centimeters) 
• Weight: Males 16.6–24.2 ounces (470–685 grams); females 18.9–27.3 ounces (535–775 grams)
   

California spotted owls hunt small mammals. While they eat a variety of animals, most of their diet consists of a few key species, including northern flying squirrels (at higher elevations) and woodrats (at lower elevations).

California spotted owls form monogamous pairs, and each pair defends a territory surrounding a nesting and/or roosting site. Breeding typically begins in mid-February, and the female lays an average of two eggs. Pairs divide the nesting roles – the male provides the female with food while she incubates the nest. Nests in the Sierras are most often cavities, but spotted owls can also use broken top trees or platform nests. California spotted owls do not typically nest every year, and nesting is highly dependent on weather conditions prior to and during the breeding season.

California spotted owls live on average for 10 to 15 years.