A tough decision faces the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and by extension, bird conservation organizations including NYSOA. Although far from New York, this issue could set an important precedent, or at least greatly expand existing practice. It also has the potential to affect the public’s view of bird conservation and science—which is where we come in.

The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) has a limited range in the Pacific Northwest, using unlogged, mature coniferous forest with large trees and a mix of vegetation types, sizes and ages. It is listed as a federally threatened species by the USFWS, which has recommended changing its status to endangered. The owl’s population has dropped rapidly in recent decades, with logging and wildfire as factors in loss of habitat.

However, another primary and perhaps greater cause of Spotted Owl decline is competition with ‘invasive’ Barred Owls (Strix varia). According to the USFWS:

Barred owls, native to eastern North America, began to expand their range around 1900, concurrent with European settlement and facilitated by the subsequent human-caused changes to the Great Plains and northern boreal forest. These slightly larger and more aggressive owls quickly displaced spotted owls from their historical territories.

In response to the continuing impact of Barred Owls on Northern Spotted Owl numbers—and potential impact to a nearby sub-species, the California Spotted Owl (S. occidentalis occidentalis) —the USFWS has put forth a management strategy for Barred Owls (https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-environmental-impact-statement-barred-owl-management-strategy). The strategy lays out different plans for different areas, but all rely on killing significant numbers of Barred Owls to reduce competition with Spotted Owls.

The USFWS strategy does not provide a number for Barred Owls to be killed under the plan, but using the Service’s calculations, opponents estimate that 470,000 Barred Owls in the Northwest would be lethally removed over the next 30 years.

Where should NYSOA stand? As noted above, these management actions would take place some 3,000 miles from New York—it’s hard to imagine any impact on ‘our’ birds. NYSOA has been asked to sign on to a group letter opposing the USFWS strategy (see the Conservation section at nybirds.org/FedConservation. htm). In addition, our organization has an existing resolution on Bird Population Management, which reads in part: “RESOLVED, that the Federation (former name) supports management of bird populations when sound scientific evidence indicates that such management will benefit endangered, threatened or otherwise at-risk species,….”

It’s not hard to imagine other similar avian conflicts arising, although not likely on this scale: eagles vs. loons, Blue-winged vs. Golden-winged Warblers, gulls vs. terns, etc. All would be difficult choices. In this case, should very large numbers of an iconic native species be killed, or should an equally valuable species be condemned to likely extinction as a result of human activity?

There is also the matter of the public’s view of bird conservation organizations, such as NYSOA, that may support management of one species to benefit another. No one wants to be seen as advocating for the killing of thousands of owls, no matter how scientifically justified.

What do you think? This is a stance that the NYSOA board of directors will finally determine, if any. Feedback from members would be useful in deciding a course of action. Please let me, or any officer or director know your thoughts on this challenging question.