View range map of Barn Owl

The Barn Owl is the most common owl species in North America, occupying open habitats across the United States. This species is common in grasslands, farmlands, suburbs, and town parks, but not always easily observed as it is nocturnal and secretive. This medium sized owl, about 16 inches tall, is easily recognized by its large white heart shaped facial disk. Barn Owls hunt mostly at night for small mammals, particularly rodents. The birds also eat small birds, amphibians and reptiles. They cast up pellets of indigestible matter. Barn Owls breed and roost in natural tree cavities, rocky crevices or nest boxes. Pairs usually mate for life and roost together for much of the year. Barn Owls are otherwise solitary, and winter alone. The same nest site may be used over many years. The female lays 5-7 white eggs which she alone incubates for 30-34 days, and the male brings her food throughout this time. The chicks are semi-altricial and fledge after about 54 days. Both parents care for the chicks, the female brooding them and the male hunting for food. The male brings the prey to the female and she feeds it to the chicks. The parents continue to feed the fledglings for an additional 3-5 weeks, during which time the immature birds roost together at a separate location, after which they disperse. Breeding success varies greatly depending on weather conditions and prey availability. In good years Barn Owls may raise two broods, in years of harsh winter weather and poor prey availability nesting is delayed, only one brood is attempted and all chicks may starve. Barn Owl numbers declined throughout the later 20th century, largely due to loss of nesting habitat. Changes in agricultural practices reduced prey populations and removed many barns and other open structures the birds formerly used for nesting and roosting sites. The birds adapt readily to nest boxes were provided.

View range map of Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl is a large, all white predatory bird of the arctic tundra and open grasslands. A diurnal species, the Snowy Owl hunts in all weathers throughout the long days of the arctic summer, feeding predominantly on lemmings. In years where prey is scarce an irruption may occur in which large numbers travel south to winter in the northern United States. Female Snowy Owls are territorial during the winter, while males are nomadic. Male Snowy Owls select and defend a territory in the spring and perform courtship flights for returning females. It is not known whether pairs breed together is successive years. The nest is a scrape in the ground, on open windswept tundra which is scratched out by the female. Sites may be used over many successive years, but whether by the same birds is unknown. The female incubates 3-4 white eggs for about 33 days. When prey is abundant the clutch size may be considerably larger. The male feeds the female during incubation. The chicks hatch asynchronously, the first laid may be almost grown by the time the youngest hatches. The male brings food to the female which she then feeds to the chicks. The young birds fledge at 51-57 days of age.

View range map of Northern Spotted Owl

The Northern Spotted Owl is one of three subspecies of Spotted Owl and is resident in old growth coniferous forests of the north western United States. This dark brown owl, with white spots inhabits the Pacific northwestern states of Washington, Oregon and California and parts of south western British Columbia. Northern Spotted Owls forage mostly at night for small mammals. Northern flying-squirrels, voles, mice and rats predominate the diet. The species hunts from a perch, and pounces on its prey. The birds may cache prey for later consumption in times of prey abundance. A solitary species, Northern Spotted Owls roost alone during the day, high in the canopy and associate only during the breeding season. Pairs begin roosting together in early spring, returning to the same nest site every year. The nest site is often a broken tree top, or tree cavity, but abandoned platforms of raven, hawk or eagle nests are also used. The female may add some feathers to the nest for lining before laying 1-3 eggs. She incubates the eggs for about 30 days. After the eggs hatch the female broods them and the male hunts for prey. He delivers the food to the female who feeds it to the chicks. The chicks fledge after about 32 days. The parents continue to care for the immature birds, which roost in a separate location, often together. Northern Spotted Owls do not breed every year and may not breed for several successive years. Fledgling survival is also low, due to predation and exposure. The species is long lived however, with banded birds surviving more than 12 years and as long as 25 years. Northern Spotted Owl populations were estimated at approximately 4800 individuals in 1992. Habitat loss, due to extensive logging of mature old growth forests, planting of single aged tree plantations and urban development have greatly reduced the old growth mature forests on which the species depends. Since the early 1980s, when population declines were first observed, there has been controversy over the conservation of this species versus logging of the high value lands the birds occupy. Northern Spotted Owls have large home ranges, and will not cross open areas or recently logged lands. The Northern Spotted Owl was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1990, after two earlier attempts to list the birds were prevented by legal actions on the part of logging interests. There have also been documented cases of intentional killings of Northern Spotted Owls. In September 2010, USFWS announced new revisions to the Conservation Plan for Northern Spotted Owl. Learn more here.