Introductory
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Strix occidentalis | Spotted Owl 



ABBREVIATION : 
STOC

COMMON NAMES : 
   spotted owl
   northern spotted owl
   California spotted owl
   Mexican spotted owl
   southern spotted owl


TAXONOMY : 
The currently accepted scientific name for the spotted owl is Strix
occidentalis (Xantus).  The American Ornithologist Union recognizes three
subspecies of spotted owl [5,17,22]:

        Strix occidentalis occidentalis - California spotted owl
        Strix occidentalis caurina (Merriam) - northern spotted owl
        Strix occidentalis lucida (Nelson) - Mexican spotted owl

Some doubt the validity of the separation of the northern and California
subspecies [5,17].  Recent studies of genetic differences among spotted
owls over much of their range in the western United States showed
essentially no genetic difference between the northern and California
subspecies.  However, several morphological features that exhibit clinal
variation from north to south across the range of the northern and
California subspecies have been identified [17].


ORDER : 
Strigiformes

CLASS : 
Bird

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
See OTHER STATUS

OTHER STATUS : 
The northern and Mexican spotted owls are federally listed as threatened
[23].  The California spotted owl is listed as a Category 2 subspecies [24].
Spotted owls are state listed as endangered in Washington [25].

In British Columbia, the northern spotted owl is listed as endangered
[26]. 


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
Julie L. Tesky, October 1992


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 



AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Tesky, Julie L. 1992. Strix occidentalis.  In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Strix occidentalis | Spotted Owl