While carrying out nest surveys this summer, biologists with Los Alamos National Laboratory sighted seven Mexican spotted owl chicks. Biologists said they have never seen so many chicks. They are quite happy as it indicates that their efforts to protect the species are getting successful.

Chuck Hathcock, a wildlife biologist with the Environmental Stewardship group at the lab, said, “We have a history of the owls nesting on lab property since 1993, when they were federally listed as threatened. But we’ve never had this many chicks out of two nests. That’s the most we’ve ever had in a year”.

Chuck stated the lab has agreements with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on how to manage habitat. In the spring breeding season, the lab levies many rules including restricting noise from activity. In the fall, the owls leave the nests. Researchers have no idea where the owls go.

Only biologists can survey nests, said Chuck. The Mexican spotted owl is said to be one of the largest owl species in North America. It is 16 to 19 inches taller having wingspan of least a 3 1/2-foot. The birds have dark eyes and both males and females have irregular white and brown spots on their chests. In comparison to males, the females are larger.

The owls are monogamous. From late March to early April, females lay two to four eggs and they turn out to be quite protective mothers. They stay at the nests and the males go for hunt. After hatching, both parents hunt for food and once the fledglings grow, they leave the nest in the fall.