northern spotted owl

noun

: a rare spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) of old forests on the Pacific coast of North America from northern California to southern British Columbia

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The report said the project would harm the habitat of many species including not only the bald eagle but northern spotted owl and the Shasta snow-wreath, a delicate white flower. —New York Times, 28 Sep. 2019

Into this pressure cooker walked Wasser, with a technique to measure the stress levels of northern spotted owls by analyzing their poop. —Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, 19 May 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above