Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis), Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal County

This Spotted Owl was photographed by Doug Jenness on 09 January 2014

Spotted Owl is very rare in lowlands. There are very few Pinal County records, although Phillips, Marshall and Monson in The Birds of Arizona show a record from Pinal County in the northern Santa Catalina Mountains.

Distinctive large owl with no ear tufts, no dark marks around the eyes, and overall spotted plumage. The fresh, very pointed tail feathers indicate a second-year bird.

09 January 2014, photo by Doug Jenness