Spotted Owl Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesSpotted Owl
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 LibraryArizonaAdult (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 LibraryArizonaJuvenile (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 LibraryArizonaSimilar SpeciesBarred Owl
Adult (Northern)
Barred Owls are larger than Spotted Owls with a yellow-orange (not dull yellow) bill and a paler face.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, January 30, 2017Similar SpeciesBarred Owl
Adult (Northern)
Barred Owls are larger than Spotted Owls with a streaked instead of spotted belly. Note paler face and yellow-orange bill on Barred Owl.
© Scott Young / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, January 08, 2017Looking for ID Help?
Get a customized list of birds from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
View Birds Near MeSpecies in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
More to Read
Search species and articles
Explore birds based on location and time of year.
View Birds Near MeDon't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.