Western screech-owl (Otus kennicottii) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1
Assessment Summary
Assessment Summary – May 2002
Common name - Western Screech-owl, macfarlanei subspecies
Scientific name - Otus kennicottii macfarlanei
Status - Endangered
Reason for designation - This subspecies has a very low population in Canada where it depends on mature riparian woodlands for nesting and roosting. These woodlands have been heavily impacted by agricultural and urban development over the last century. It also relies on cavities in old, large trees for nesting and roosting, trees which have become rare even within the woodlands that remain.
Occurrence - British Columbia
Status history - This species was placed in the Data Deficient category in April 1995. It was split according to subspecies in May 2002. The Macfarlanei subspecies was designated Endangered in May 2002. Last assessment based on an update status report.
Assessment Summary – May 2002
Common name - Western Screech-owl, kennicottii subspecies
Scientific name - Otus kennicottii kennicottii
Status - Special Concern
Reason for designation - This owl prefers open forest for foraging and requires cavities in old, large trees for nesting and roosting. Modern forestry practices have created large areas of dense young forests that have very few suitable nesting snags.
Populations have apparently declined in southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland concurrently with the
recent arrival of the Barred Owl, which is likely a predator of this species.
Occurrence - British Columbia
Status history - This species was placed in the Data Deficient category in April 1995. It was split according to subspecies in May 2002. The Kennicottii subspecies was designated Special Concern in May 2002. Last assessment based on an update status report.
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