Jon,

Barred Owls, as you know, have increased enormously in
southwestern BC and western Washington over the last 30 years. In
southwestern BC (both on Vancouver Island and the southern mainland),
they were first recorded in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They are
now the commonest and most widespread forest owl over much of this
area, and they are probably approaching the same status in western
Washington.

At the same time, Western Screech-Owls have decreased in SW BC from
common to rare. I haven't seen or heard a Screech-Owl in the Vancouver
area in years. Most local birders believe that Barred Owl predation is
the main reason for this alarming decline. Habitat loss may be a
factor as well, but in many areas that have lost their Screech-Owls,
there have been few or no habitat changes.

Competition from Barred Owls, at present, also appears to be more
important than loss of old-growth in the continuing decline of Spotted
Owls in Washington. Many old-growth stands that used to have Spotted
Owls now have Barred Owls in them instead.

I'm not sure how many documented cases there are of Barred Owl
predation on Western Screech-Owls in BC and WA. However, I do know
that, in many places where I've tried playing tapes for Screech-Owls,
I get a very quick response from Barred Owls, which rapidly approach
my location.

At any rate, the ecology of Barred Owls deserves far more attention
than it has received in BC and WA (and also in OR and NW CA). They
appear to be a major factor in the decline of both Western
Screech-Owls and Spotted Owls, but this needs to be confirmed by
thorough scientific studies.

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC, Canada
contopus at telus.net


----- Original Message -----
From: Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney <festuca at olywa.net>
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 10:30 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Barred Owl in west Oly


Hi folks -

< snip >


Does anyone know if Barred Owls will prey on Screech Owls, like a
Great
Horned will?

Best,
Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net