Okangan Endangered Species

Okanagan Valley Endangered Species and Species at Risk

Species titled in red are red-listed species (Endangered).

Species titled in blue are blue-listed species (Threatened/Vulnerable)


	SHORT-EARED OWL - Asio flammeus DESCRIPTION: Length 15 inches; Tawny owl with bold breast streaking, pale belly; short ear tufts often unnoticable; roosts on fence posts or on the ground in daylight. NORTH AMERICAN RANGE: Breeds in Northern Canadian territories and Alaska, Quebec, Maritimes, S. Ontario, southern Prairies, B.C. Interior; Winters in continental U.S.; Year-round in N.W. U.S., southern Prairies and B.C. Southern Interior. OKANAGAN STATUS: Special Concern - loss of grassland habitat has led to a decline in numbers of the Short-eared Owl.
	BURROWING OWL - Athene cunicularia DESCRIPTION: Length 9 1/2", long legs, adult brown, with bold barring and spotting, calls include soft coo-cooo. NORTH AMERICAN RANGE: Breeds in U.S. from Great Plains states westward; also breeds in S.E. Alberta, S.W. Saskatchewan, and pockets along southern Sask., Manitoba border; also found in Mexico. OKANAGAN STATUS: Virtually extripated. Burrowing Owls used to be found nesting in the south Okanagan. Today, there are few to none of these birds remaining in the valley. However, breeding programs in nearby Kamloops and efforts to establish national parks in both the south and north Okanagan are steps to hopefully re-introducing Burrowing Owls to the B.C. southern interior, in the future.
	LEWIS' WOODPECKER - Melanerpes lewis DESCRIPTION: Length - 10 3/4"; Dark green head and back with red face patch and dark pink belly, with gray collar and breast. NORTH AMERICAN RANGE: In Canada is only found in B.C. where it breeds in the southern interior; Breeds in the U.S. Northwest; Winters in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Global population may have declined by more than half in the last 40 years. OKANAGAN STATUS: Special Concern. Loss of habitat resulting from deforestation is the primary reason for decline in numbers. Most prominent in the south Okanagan.
	GREAT BLUE HERON - Ardea herodias DESCRIPTION: Length - 46"; Tall wading bird; North America's largest heron; Blue-grey body with black tufts on back of head. Spear-like bill suited for catching fish and other aquatic life. NORTH AMERICAN RANGE: Breeds in all 10 Canadian provinces and continental U.S.; Winters in much of U.S., Mexico and along the B.C. coast. OKANAGAN STATUS: Special Concern. Loss of wetland habitat and nesting areas are the reason for a decline in numbers of Great Blue Herons. Noteably, the heronry in Vernon has struggled to survive in the wake of continued development.
	AMERICAN AVOCET - Recurvirostra americana DESCRIPTION: Length - 18"; tall, elegant shorebird; white and black body; rusty head and neck; long, slightly upturned bill; long, slender, blue-grey legs. NORTH AMERICAN RANGE: Breeds in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a few isolated pockets in B.C.; also breeds in western U.S.; winters along U.S. Gulf coast, California and in Mexico. Favorite habitats include prairie sloughs and alkiline-based ponds and lakes. Global population overall is quite healthy and stable. OKANAGAN STATUS: Threatened; While the N.A. population is relatively stable, the number of breeding Avocets in the Okanagan has taken a large hit. Due to the expansion of the Kelowna landfill at Alki Lake, the number of Avocets returning to nest has been steadily declining. Other nesting sites in B.C.'s southern interior include the Kamloops, Creston and Cranbrook areas.
	PAINTED TURTLE - (info yet to come)