Great Grey Owl
Strix nebulosa
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_grey_owl
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Great Grey Owls face mounting pressure from climate change, which is shifting their boreal forest habitat northward and altering prey availability patterns. Logging operations fragment their preferred old-growth forests, reducing suitable nesting sites and hunting grounds. Human encroachment through development and infrastructure projects further constrains their range, while collisions with vehicles pose an increasing mortality risk as roads penetrate deeper into their wilderness territories.
Habitat
Great Grey Owls inhabit dense boreal and mixed coniferous forests across northern regions, preferring old-growth stands with large trees for nesting and adjacent meadows or clearings for hunting. They require a mosaic of mature forest and open areas where they can effectively hunt small mammals, particularly voles and pocket gophers.
Other threatened species in Strigidae
Threatened in Åland Islands
Frequently asked questions
Why is Great Grey Owl classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Great Grey Owl live?
What are the main threats to Great Grey Owl?
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