Invasive Species: Barred owls are native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States where they inhabit a variety of forest habitats. Many barred owls however, have been found moving west into British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and even California. The reason for this range extension isn’t fully understood although it’s believed to be partly due to urbanization of the central plains, which otherwise acted as a natural boundary. Urban areas with lots of trees, such as city parks, create islands that owls can move between, eventually finding their way to the west coast. Because these animals are not native to the area, they have been found out-competing native species like the spotted owl. Spotted owls already have a greatly reduced population due to habitat loss, and barred owls create yet another problem for them by competing for resources like nesting sites and food. In many areas, barred owls greatly outnumber spotted owls, and its believed that, if left unchecked, they can cause some populations to even go extinct. Management strategies, such as hunting barred owls, have proven successful in these areas although they spark debate as to whether people should interfere at all and whether this inter-species competition can be considered natural.
Sources:
"Barred Owl Threat." Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/articles.cfm?id=149489615. Accessed 10 Dec. 2021. |