Associated Species: Other species that may use similar habitat components or respond positively to management for Mexican Spotted Owl are: Northern Goshawk, Whiskered Screech-Owl, Whip-poor-will, Strickland’s Woodpecker, Virginia’s Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, Painted Redstart, and Hepatic Tanager.

Distribution: The Mexican Spotted Owl is distributed over a broad geographic area in the southwestern United States. However it is not uniformly distributed throughout its range. It occurs in disjunct locations that correspond to isolated mountain systems and canyons in southern Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. In Arizona, it primarily occurs in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine-Gambel oak forests and canyons above and below the Mogollon Rim, and in the Madrean pine-oak forests and canyons of the sky island mountain ranges in the southern part of the state (Block and others 1995).

Ecology: The owl, described as a "perch and pounce" predator, primarily consumes small to medium-sized rodents such as woodrats, peromyscid mice, and microtine voles. It also preys on bats, birds, reptiles, and arthropods (Forsman 1976, Ward and Block 1995). This species nests on cliff ledges, stick nests built by other birds, and in tree cavities (Fletcher and Hollis 1994, Ganey 1988). Females normally lay one to three eggs in late March or early April and incubate for approximately 30 days. The eggs usually hatch in early May. Nestling owls generally fledge in four to five weeks after hatching in early to mid-June (Ganey 1988). Fledgling dispersal occurs usually from mid-September to early October. Predation by avian predators (e.g. Great Horned Owls, Northern Goshawks) and starvation from low abundance and availability of prey species are primary mortality factors (Ganey 1988). Seasonal movement patterns are variable. Some are year-round residents, some show shifts in habitat-use patterns, and some migrate short distances (i.e. 19-49 km or 12-31 mi) during the winter. Home ranges are also variable ranging from 261-1550 ha (645-3831 ac). During the nesting season most activity (i.e. nesting/roosting and foraging) occurs within an "activity center" of approximately 242 ha (600 ac) (Block and others 1995).

Habitat Requirements: In northern portions of the range, including southern Utah, southern Colorado, far northern Arizona and in New Mexico, owls occur primarily in steep walled rocky canyons with conifer inclusions (Rinkevich 1991, Willey 1993). Along the Mogollon Rim in Arizona and New Mexico, primary habitat use is within mixed conifer forests, ponderosa pine-Gambel oak forests, rocky canyons, and associated riparian forests (Fletcher and Hollis 1994). In southern Arizona and Mexico, Madrean pine-oak forests and canyons provide primary habitat for the owl (Duncan and Taiz 1992, Ganey and Balda 1989). Forest stands used for roosting and nesting often contain mature to old-growth stand characteristics. The forest stands are typically uneven-aged, multistoried, have dense canopy cover, and contain large diameter trees, snags, and downed logs (Block and others 1995).

Habitat and/or Population Objectives:

Population Objectives:

Timber harvest, particularly even-age management, and catastrophic fire over large forested areas are the primary management concerns which can adversely alter owl habitat through habitat fragmentation and the reduction in mature and old-growth forest characteristics (i.e. key for roosting and nesting). In addition, livestock and ungulate grazing (e.g. alteration of prey/nesting/roosting habitat) and recreation (e.g. disturbance to nesting birds) are other key management issues. Management guidelines in the 1995 Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery Plan, and Block and others 1995, focus on protection and maintenance of nesting/roosting habitat, maintenance of habitat for prey species, and limiting of disturbance during the nesting season.

Mexican Spotted Owl management issues are listed in italics. Below each issue are the Arizona Partners in Flight Conservation Recommendations.