Spotted Owl Photo Gallery
Adult (Mexican)
Round head lacks ear tufts. Mexican Spotted Owls are the palest and they have more white on the face with larger white spots on the breast and back.
© Caleb Strand / Macaulay LibraryArizonaAdult (Northern)
Medium-sized hefty-looking brown owl with white spots on the head, back, and breast.
© Mark Stephenson / Macaulay LibraryCaliforniaAdult (Mexican)
Sits quietly during the day in trees concealed by vegetation. This video has no audio.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 16, 2006Not all videos have soundAdult (Northern)
Medium-sized owl with a round head (no ear tufts). Brown overall with white spots on the head, back, and breast.
© Logan Southall / Macaulay LibraryCaliforniaJuvenile (Mexican)
Juveniles retain some downy feathers and look fluffy overall with some spotting on the breast.
© Steve Hosmer / Macaulay LibraryArizonaAdult (Mexican)
Rests during the day and hunts small mammals at night. This video has no audio.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 16, 2006Not all videos have soundJuvenile (Mexican)
Primarily uses old-growth forests, but also uses oak stands in California, and pine-oak forests in Mexico. Juveniles look fluffy.
© Mark Dorriesfield / Macaulay LibraryArizonaAdult (Mexican)
A large owl with a round head and a spotted belly. This video has no audio.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 16, 2006Not all videos have soundCompare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.