Spotted+Owl

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/spotted_owl.asp http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Strix&species=occidentalis http://www.owling.com/Spotted_nh.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/Spottedowlprintout.shtml

=Appearance=
 * get spots when adult
 * meduim size
 * born white
 * have circles around eyes
 * feathery feet
 * sharp claws
 * 109 cm (females)
 * Weight: 518-760g (1-1.75 lbs)
 * Wingspan: average 109cm (43") for females, 106cm (42") for males
 * Wingspan: 40 - 50 in

=Home=
 * build nest in cavity of tree or stump
 * roosts in deep shade during day
 * prefers nesting in old trees
 * dense, dark, old-growth or mixed mature and old-growth coniferous forests
 * uneven and multilayered canopy
 * shaded mountain slopes and canyons
 * hids from the daylight

=Food=
 * Hunting done night
 * rarely forage flight
 * Prey sometimes cached for later
 * include flying squirrels, wood rats, hares or rabbits
 * birds smaller owls and reptiles
 * perch to "sit and wait dive down to prey

= Young = ==
 * breeding season March to September
 * Spotted owl pairs mate for life
 * begin breeding at two to three years of age
 * Clutch size ranges from 2 to 4 eggs
 * Eggs laid every 3 to 4 days, usually in April
 * may not defend their eggs
 * start roaming from the nest nearby branches at about 5 weeks

=Enemies=
 * the great horned owl
 * the red-tailed hawk
 * the raven
 * doesn't always defend its young from predators

=Cool Facts=
 * don’t migrate for the winter
 * is unique to North America
 * spotted owl only lives in southwestern British Columbia
 * Canada's most endangered bird
 * It is believed that fewer than 11 pairs remain in B.C.
 * can be found outside Canada
 * Due to heavy logging of its natural habitat
 * is a nocturnal, woodland owl
 * adults live up to 17 years in the wild
 * many owls die young

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