The barred owl is a native of eastern North America, but it has been expanding its range westward in recent decades. In the Pacific Northwest, barred owls compete with northern spotted owls for food and habitat. Northern spotted owls are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and their numbers have been declining in recent years.
The Fish and Wildlife Service argues that killing barred owls is necessary to help the northern spotted owl recover. The agency cites a study that found that barred owls killed an average of one spotted owl per territory per year. The agency also argues that killing barred owls would reduce competition for food and habitat, and would create more nesting sites for spotted owls.
Conservation groups argue that the study cited by the Fish and Wildlife Service is flawed, and that the agency is ignoring other factors that contribute to the decline of northern spotted owls. They argue that logging, habitat loss, and climate change are all more significant threats to spotted owls than barred owls.
Conservation groups also argue that killing barred owls could have unintended consequences. For example, barred owls help to control populations of rodents and other small animals. Killing barred owls could lead to an increase in the population of these animals, which could have negative impacts on the environment.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently in the process of reviewing the comments that it received on its proposed plan. The agency is expected to make a final decision about the plan in the coming months.
Conservation groups are urging the Fish and Wildlife Service to put the plan on hold, and to consider other options for helping the northern spotted owl recover. They argue that killing barred owls is a drastic measure that is not justified by the evidence.
