A True Gift
From [Misty Briggs](https://www.facebook.com/groups/558360550120563/permalink/950400907583190/)
> It has been a great year so far for rare Owls visiting Maricopa County (Arizona, USA) like this healthy Mexican Spotted Owl (a subspecies of Spotted Owl). They prefer high-elevation, mature forests, making their presence in the low-elevation, amid urban environment of Phoenix highly unusual.
>
> Per the Googs: Several reasons are increasing loss of habitat, avoiding harsh weather conditions (known as altitudinal migration) and easier hunting.
>
> Truly a gift.
I'll include this [Audubon article](https://www.audubon.org/news/do-you-know-other-way-birds-migrate) on some examples of alititudinal migration to give you some examples and also a look into the pros/cons for the birds.
> It has been a great year so far for rare Owls visiting Maricopa County (Arizona, USA) like this healthy Mexican Spotted Owl (a subspecies of Spotted Owl). They prefer high-elevation, mature forests, making their presence in the low-elevation, amid urban environment of Phoenix highly unusual.
>
> Per the Googs: Several reasons are increasing loss of habitat, avoiding harsh weather conditions (known as altitudinal migration) and easier hunting.
>
> Truly a gift.
I'll include this [Audubon article](https://www.audubon.org/news/do-you-know-other-way-birds-migrate) on some examples of alititudinal migration to give you some examples and also a look into the pros/cons for the birds.