northern spotted owl

Ornithologists, or scientists who study birds, want to prevent the forests of the Pacific Northwest from being chopped down for lumber. Why? Because these forests are home to the northern spotted owl, one of three kinds of spotted owls. In 1990, this bird was added to the Threatened Species List. Now it is illegal to destroy its habitat.

Image credits: main image, © AMNH; George Barrowclough, courtesy of Chuck Myers.