HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS OF MEXICAN SPOTTED OWLS IN SOUTHERN NEW-MEXICO

Nine radio-tagged Mexican Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) (fo ur pairs, one mated female) were monitored from 101 to 301 d to determ ine seasonal home range sizes and roost and nest characteristics. Rang e sizes of individuals averaged 742 +/- 386 (SD) ha and of pairs 1178 +/- 332 ha. During the breeding season ranges of females (xBAR = 117 /- 93 ha) were smaller than ranges of males (xBAR = 438 +/- 206 ha), b ut during the non-breeding season mean ranges did not differ (male 583 +/- 90; female 547 +/- 450). Home ranges were dominated by mixed-coni fer forest in one drainage but were mixed-conifer, ponderosa pine (Pin us ponderosa). pinyon pine (P. edulis) and alligator juniper (Juniperu s deppeana) in another drainage. Roost trees differed in height, canop y closure and basal area between drainages. No differences were noted between the heights of roosts of males and females or between heights of roosts during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Nests were in the midsection of large trees with high canopy closure.