National Geographic has an article published yesterday, June 24:
Despite massive effort, spotted owl populations at an all-time low
A threatened owl could disappear from much of its range unless old-growth forests are protected and invasive barred owls are controlled.
“Inhabiting older coniferous forests in the Pacific Northwest, the federally listed northern spotted owl species has been on the decline across its range, triggered by habitat loss. The two leading threats to its habitat are competition from increasing barred owl populations and decreasing forest area, due to wildfires and logging. Without strong intervention, northern spotted owls may face extirpation.”