Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Identification
- Large owl, round head, yellow eyes, black bill
- Thin, black horizantal bars or spots - females and juveniles more heavily spotted, the adult males can be almost pure white with age
- They have a direct, strong and steady flight
- Active during the day (diurnal)
Length: 52-71 cm
Wingspan: 126-145 cm
Weight: 56.4-104.1 oz (1600-2950g)
Habitat
The Snowy Owl lives most of the year in the Arctic Tundra or in open fields or grasslands, barely ever entering forested areas. During their southward move, they can be found along waterways, coastlines, marshes, and even roosting on buildings. While residing in the Arctic areas, they tend to roost on pingaluks (rises in the Tundra) and can breed at any elevation. They frequent areas with lots of wind and therefore little snow.
Food
The Snowy Owl hunts during the day using the 'sit and wait' tactic. They can catch prey off the ground, in the air, or from the water and are also know to raid traplines. Their most commonly caught prey are lemmings and voles throughout most of the arctic range.
* Mammalian prey include: mice, hares, muskrats, squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, rats, moles and other entraped animals.
* Bird prey include: ptarmigin, ducks, geese, shore birds, ring-necked pheasants, grouse, american coots, grebes, gulls, song birds, and short-eared owls.
* The Snowy will also eat fish and carrion
The natural predators of the Snowy Owl are the Arctic Fox and wolves; Skuas and Jaegers take the eggs and chicks.
* Mammalian prey include: mice, hares, muskrats, squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, rats, moles and other entraped animals.
* Bird prey include: ptarmigin, ducks, geese, shore birds, ring-necked pheasants, grouse, american coots, grebes, gulls, song birds, and short-eared owls.
* The Snowy will also eat fish and carrion
The natural predators of the Snowy Owl are the Arctic Fox and wolves; Skuas and Jaegers take the eggs and chicks.
Nesting
Courtship:
Courting begins in midwinter for the Snowy Owl, mainly between the months of March and April. They court away from breeding areas by the males flying in rolling, moth-like flight when the females are visible. When on the ground he will bow, fluff its feathers, and strut around with their wings out and dragging on the ground. The male will also find and kill a piece of prey to feed to the female.
Nesting:
The Snowy Owl nests exclusively on the ground, by choosing a mound and making a depression in it by scratching at the dirt lining the bottom with vegetation and feathers. They choose their nesting area near hunting grounds, that are snow free and offer a good view of their surroundings. Occassionally abandoned eagle nests will be used.
5-8 eggs white eggs will be laid, the brood sizes depending on the amount of prey available that year. If food supply is not great, some years a Snowy Owl will not lay any eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 32-33 days while the male hunts for food. The young will leave the nest at 25 days, exploring their surroundings until they are able to fly at 50-60 days old.
Courting begins in midwinter for the Snowy Owl, mainly between the months of March and April. They court away from breeding areas by the males flying in rolling, moth-like flight when the females are visible. When on the ground he will bow, fluff its feathers, and strut around with their wings out and dragging on the ground. The male will also find and kill a piece of prey to feed to the female.
Nesting:
The Snowy Owl nests exclusively on the ground, by choosing a mound and making a depression in it by scratching at the dirt lining the bottom with vegetation and feathers. They choose their nesting area near hunting grounds, that are snow free and offer a good view of their surroundings. Occassionally abandoned eagle nests will be used.
5-8 eggs white eggs will be laid, the brood sizes depending on the amount of prey available that year. If food supply is not great, some years a Snowy Owl will not lay any eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 32-33 days while the male hunts for food. The young will leave the nest at 25 days, exploring their surroundings until they are able to fly at 50-60 days old.
Calls
The Snowy Owl is virtually silent during their non-breeding seasons.
The males typical call is a loud, harsh, grating bark with the female making a similiar call but their pitch is higher. Other calls they make are a dog-like bark, rattling cackles, shrieks, hisses, and bill-snapping (which actually has more to do with the tongue then the bill).
To here the Snowy Owl, click HERE!
The males typical call is a loud, harsh, grating bark with the female making a similiar call but their pitch is higher. Other calls they make are a dog-like bark, rattling cackles, shrieks, hisses, and bill-snapping (which actually has more to do with the tongue then the bill).
To here the Snowy Owl, click HERE!
Range/Distribution
The Snowy Owl is a circumpolar bird, spening much of the year in the Arctic Tundra. It is highly nomadic and moves southward for the winter as well as when food becomes scarce.
View Distribution Map
View Observations Map
View Distribution Map
View Observations Map
Conservation
The Snowy Owl in the wild is known to live around 9.5 years. They are faced with many threats including autmobile accidents, utility lines, and gunshot wounds. They have also been illegally hunted for their eyes and feet having a demand in the Asian Market.
Since the Snowy Owls spend most of the year living in the Arctic Tundra, they are facing the effects of climate change on their habitats.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
Since the Snowy Owls spend most of the year living in the Arctic Tundra, they are facing the effects of climate change on their habitats.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
Interesting Facts
- Snowy Owl pairs will fiercly defend their nests against predators, having been known to take on wolves.
- These majestic birds have been represented in cave paintings
Want to Know More?
Check Out:
Hinterland Who's Who
http://hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=76
Canadian Museum of Nature
http://nature.ca/NOTEBOOKS/ENGLISH/snowyowl.htm
National Geographic
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl.html
Hinterland Who's Who
http://hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=76
Canadian Museum of Nature
http://nature.ca/NOTEBOOKS/ENGLISH/snowyowl.htm
National Geographic
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl.html