Description: The
magnificent Snowy Owl is the world's
heaviest owl. Measuring up to 28 inches
in length, the adult is pure white with
large yellow eyes and occasional specks
of black on the wings and tail. The feet
are feathered to the talons. Immature
Snowy Owls show numerous black or brown
markings on the head, underparts, back,
and wings. Males and females are similar,
though females usually show more of the
dark markings. Largely diurnal rather
than nocturnal, Snowy Owls often wait
on prominent perches such as hills, snow
banks, fenceposts, or telephone poles,
patiently waiting to ambush prey. Snowy
Owls rarely perch on trees.
Diet: The
Snowy Owl is heavily dependent on the
lemming, a small, Arctic rodent. The
owl may eat five lemmings per day! The
Snowy Owl will also take rabbits, ducks,
waterfowl, and occasionally fish.
Range: The
Snowy Owl breeds in the high Arctic tundra
of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Eurasia.
In the winter, individuals may migrate
south in search of food. Although its
normal wintering range extends no farther
south than southern Canada and the northern
United States, immature birds may wander
farther south into the central United
States when supplies of prey are low.
Perhaps no other North American bird
mobilizes the avid birdwatcher than the
Snowy Owl. Reports of Snowy Owl sightings
in the winter often attract hundreds
of birdwatchers. Snowy Owls often allow
close approach and perch in conspicuous
places which makes photographing the
birds relatively easy.
Habitat: Arctic
tundra, open country, beaches, marshes,
airports, farms.
Status: Populations
of Snowy Owls seem stable, though they
are certainly not classified as common. |