Young start roaming from the nest onto nearby branches at about 5 weeks, but some flutter to the ground before climbing up into trees. They can fly weakly at about 6 weeks. At 9 to 10 weeks young can capture insect prey by themselves. Families remain loosely associated during summer before young disperse in the autumn. Spotted Owls are long-lived, with captive Owls of 21 years being known.
Many juveniles starve to death.
It is thought that Barred Owls will outcompete Spotted Owls for habitat, by being more aggressive, when the two species come into contact. The Spotted Owl may be the most publicised of all endangered species in North America. They prefer an uneven and multilayered canopy. Virtually all foraging and roosting was done in old-growth, with recently cleared or burned forests not used at all. They prefer shaded mountain slopes and canyons over flat plateau areas.