Oregon Public Broadcasting

Researchers have discovered yet another challenge facing the iconic forest bird, the northern spotted owl. Rob Manning reports.

The new study from San Francisco State University tested blood from lots of birds, but spotted owls stood out.

In particular, scientists found more than half of them had parasites. And for the first time, a northern spotted owl was found to have avian malaria.

Report co-author, Heather Ishak, says the parasites compromise the threatened birds’ health and may limit the offspring they can bear. She blames the barred owl – and says federal officials should bear that in mind, as they try to recover the spotted owl.

Heather Ishak: “I think they definitely need to address whether these barred owls are an additional threat because of disease that they’re bringing. Or just that, at least, these spotted owls may not be able to reproduce as effectively.”

Ishak points out that the owl’s new federal recovery makes little mention of threats from disease. However, the barred owl is a focus because they compete with the spotted owl for habitat.