Why is the spotted owl considered near threatened?

The spotted owl is classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) primarily due to declining populations resulting from two main factors:

• Habitat Loss: The species relies heavily on old-growth forests. The logging of these areas has significantly reduced the habitat available for the owls to nest and hunt.12
• Interspecific Competition: Spotted owls face intense competition from barred owls. Barred owls have expanded their range and successfully displaced spotted owls from large portions of their northern habitat by competing for the same food sources and living spaces.12

While the species is listed as near threatened globally, all three subspecies—the northern, Mexican, and California spotted owls—are specifically designated as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to these ongoing environmental pressures.12