Northern spotted owl

populations decline

across its range

Inhabiting older coniferous forests in

the Pacific Northwest, the federally

listed northern spotted owl species

has been on the decline across its

range, triggered by habitat loss. The

two leading threats to its habitat are

competition from increasing barred

owl populations and decreasing forest

area, due to wildfires and logging.

Without strong intervention, northern

spotted owls may face extirpation.

Suitable

forest

habitat

Wildfires

since 1993

Christina Shintani, NGM Staff.

Sources: Franklin et. al, Biological

Conservation, May 2021; USGS; National

Interagency Fire Center