16-19 inches long

Back is dark brown; head and neck have white spots; wings and chest are covered with light brown and white spots.

Pacific Northwest old-growth forests.

Flying squirrels, red tree voles, and other small mammals.

Spotted owls nest in tree cavities (holes in trees). Because it is a large bird, only a big snag can provide a hole large enough for its nest. The spotted owl also depends on the multilayered canopy to protect it from predators. It flutters and dodges among the layers of tree tops to avoid such swift predators as great horned owls and goshawks.