Strix occidentalis (Spotted Owl)

A medium sized owl, brown in color, with white spots sits in a conifer tree. — *Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Public Domain*

about the species

Strix occidentalis, the spotted owl, is a forest-dependent raptor native to western North America, including California. It is closely associated with mature and old-growth forests, where it nests and forages. The species has experienced significant population declines due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and competition, making it a focal species for forest conservation and management in California.

why species was selected

The spotted owl was selected due to its conservation status and importance in forest management decisions. Genomic data can improve understanding of population structure, adaptive variation, and interactions with related species, supporting informed conservation and recovery efforts.

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