Molt of the Spotted Owl
Forsman ED. 1981. Molt of the Spotted Owl. The Auk. 98(4):735-742
The molt of both wild and captive Spotted Owls was studied in Oregon between 1970 and 1980. Spotted Owls developed three plumages in their first year. The white natal down was replaced by the fluffy juvenal plumage before owlets left the nest. Replacement of the juvenal feathers by the basic I plumage began when owlets were 47-56 days old and was complete by late September or October. The only juvenal feathers not replaced during the latter molt were the remiges, rectrices, and greater primary coverts. Adults underwent a prolonged prebasic molt each year between April and mid-October. The molt of the body feathers was complete annually, but 2 yr (rarely 3) were required to molt all of the remiges, rectrices, alulars, and greater wing coverts. The most common pattern of tail molt was a rapid or "simultaneous" molt, but irregular and partial molts also occurred. Received 12 March 1980, accepted 5 May 1981.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Forsman, Eric
- Units
- MORA
- Keywords
- Molting, Oregon, Plumage, Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)