Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida)
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While its relative the Northern Spotted Owl often receives the most press attention, the Mexican Spotted Owl also received a threatened listing according to the terms of the Endangered Species Act in 1993.
Typically Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis) get divided into three subspecies:
- Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
- California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)
- Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida)
although recent genetic research from Oregon State University poses questions for distinguishing between the California and Mexican Spotted Owl subspecies.
Spotted mountain owl might be another appropriate moniker, as its native range is generally categorized as the mountainous areas of the Desert Southwest.
Like other Spotted Owl subspecies, their nesting preferences lean to pine forests and mixed conifer forests with old growth. They are also known to nest on rocky ledges in local canyons.
Little is known about Mexican Spotted Owl behavior in Mexico.
Physically, the Mexican Spotted Owl is characterized as a medium sized owl, less than two feet tall, with a wing span extending over three feet in length.
Their size, and consequently the size of juveniles, makes them a target for larger raptor species, including Great Horned Owls, Golden Eagles and Red-Tailed Hawks.
Their prey consists of local small mammals, birds and lizards.
Notwithstanding the natural dangers they face, man made dangers, including habitat loss from extensive old growth logging.
After ten years of legal wrangling, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated a handful of federal lands in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah as critical habitat.
© 2011. Patricia A. Michaels