Bubo scandiacus
The Snowy Owl (*Bubo scandiacus*), a magnificent avian predator, is instantly recognizable by its striking white plumage and bright yellow eyes. Among the largest North American owls, it typically measures 53-65 cm (21-26 in) in length with an impressive wingspan of 137-164 cm (54-65 in) and weighs between 1.6-2.9 kg (3.5-6.4 lbs). Adult males are almost pure white, while females and juveniles exhibit varying degrees of dark barring, providing excellent camouflage in their Arctic breeding gro...
Found primarily in the open, treeless Arctic tundra and subarctic grasslands. It prefers areas with elevated perches for hunting and nesting, often at sea level but extending to mountainous tundras.
Primarily carnivorous, feeding mostly on small mammals, especially lemmings and voles, which form the bulk of their diet. They also hunt birds, such as ptarmigan and waterfowl, and other small mammals like arctic hares, utilizing a sit-and-wait hunting strategy.
Unlike most owls, Snowy Owls are often diurnal, particularly during the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer, but can hunt at any time. They are primarily sit-and-wait predators, perching on small rises, rocks, or fence posts, surveying for prey before making a swift, low flight or a dramatic...
The Snowy Owl boasts a circumpolar breeding range across the Arctic tundra of North America and Eurasia. In North America, breeding occurs from Alaska and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago eastward to Greenland, while in Eurasia, it spans Scandinavia, Russia, and Siberia. During winter, these owls ...
Vulnerable
- Snowy Owls are the heaviest North American owl species, primarily due to their dense feathering for insulation. - Their legs and feet are heavily feathered, acting like snowshoes and providing crucial warmth in freezing temperatures. - Despite their Arctic habitat, they have excellent hearing a...