Neornithes Gadow, 1893 - living birds
   Neognathae Pycraft 1900 see Cohort Neognathae Pycraft, 1900
     Neoaves Sibley et al. 1988 see Subcohort Neoaves Sibley et al., 1988
       [Order] Strigiformes Wagler, 1830 - owls
         Family Strigidae Vigors, 1825 - owls
           Subfamily Striginae Vigors, 1825 - strange-eared owls
             Genus Strix Linnaeus, 1758
               Strix occidentalis (Xántus de Vesey, 1860) - spotted owl
                 Strix occidentalis occidentalis (Xántus de Vesey, 1860) - California spotted-owl