Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Snowy Owl is a large, striking bird with predominantly white plumage. Males are often nearly pure white, while females and juveniles have varying amounts of dark barring. Their large, round heads lack ear tufts, and they have piercing yellow eyes.
Adults typically measure 52-71 cm in length with a wingspan of 126-145 cm. Females are larger and have more extensive dark barring than males. In winter, their thick feathers provide excellent insulation against harsh Arctic conditions.
Feet and legs are covered in dense feathers, and claws are sharp and black.
Size
Length
52cm to 71cm
Wingspan
126cm to 145cm
Weight
1.6kg to 2.95kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
White
Secondary Colour
Brown Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
White
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Snowy Owls breed in the Arctic tundra across North America, Europe, and Asia. Their breeding range extends from Alaska and northern Canada to Greenland, Scandinavia, and Siberia. They prefer open, treeless landscapes with good visibility.
In winter, some Snowy Owls migrate south to southern Canada and the northern United States, with occasional visitors in the UK and northern Europe. They can be found in coastal areas, grasslands, and even airports, which resemble their tundra habitat.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 300 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Subarctic, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Snowy Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Snowy Owl demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in flight. Their ability to perform silent, low flights for hunting and execute elaborate aerial displays during courtship indicates high manoeuvrability. Their capacity to rotate their heads up to 270 degrees also contributes to their overall agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a large owl species with a wingspan of up to 145 cm and weighing up to 2950 g, the Snowy Owl possesses considerable strength. Their ability to carry prey and withstand harsh Arctic conditions suggests robust physical power.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Snowy Owls exhibit exceptional adaptability. They thrive in the extreme Arctic environment and can adjust to various habitats during winter migrations, including coastal areas and even airports. Their versatile diet and ability to hunt in different ways (flying, walking) further demonstrate their adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
While not overly aggressive towards humans, Snowy Owls display territorial behaviour during breeding season. They are formidable predators, capable of taking down a variety of prey, including birds and small mammals. Their protective nature towards nests and young also indicates a moderate level of aggression when necessary.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Snowy Owls demonstrate impressive endurance, particularly during their irruptive migrations and when surviving in harsh Arctic conditions. Their ability to hunt during the day and withstand extreme cold temperatures suggests high stamina. However, their tendency to perch and wait for prey rather than engage in prolonged pursuits slightly moderates this rating.
Diet
Snowy Owls primarily hunt small mammals, especially lemmings, voles and hares. In winter, mice and rats become more important. They also prey on birds, including ptarmigan and waterfowl, including geese, ducks and grebes.
These versatile hunters can catch fish and will opportunistically feed on carrion, including walrus, seal, and fox carcasses. Their diet varies seasonally and geographically based on prey availability.
Behaviour
Snowy Owls are primarily diurnal, unlike most owl species. They often perch on elevated spots to survey their surroundings. These owls are known for their silent, low flight when hunting, using their keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate flight displays to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Snowy Owls are generally quiet outside the breeding season. Males produce a loud, booming "hoo, hoo" call during courtship, which can be heard up to 10 km away. Females have a higher-pitched call.
When alarmed, they may emit a raspy "kre-kre-kre" or a loud, barking "rick-rick-rick" sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Snowy Owls typically begins in May. Males establish territories and perform aerial displays to attract females. They often reuse nesting sites from previous years if successful.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, usually on slightly elevated areas for good visibility. Females lay 3-11 eggs, depending on food availability. The eggs are creamy white, with no markings, and measure about 57 x 45 mm. However, as nesting progresses, eggs become stained by the soil from the nest bowl.
Incubation lasts 31-33 days, by the female, while the male provides food. Chicks fledge at about 7 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Snowy Owls face threats from climate change, which affects their Arctic breeding grounds and prey availability. Collisions with vehicles and human structures during winter migrations are also significant risks.
Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and reducing human-related mortality.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Snowy Owls in open, treeless areas like fields or coastal dunes
- Scan the tops of poles, fence posts, or small hills for perched owls
- Visit northern coastal areas in winter for better chances of sightings
- Be patient and use binoculars or a spotting scope for distant viewing
- Respect the owl's space and avoid approaching too closely
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Adult Snowy Owls have few natural predators. Arctic foxes and wolves may prey on eggs or young. Jaegers and gulls can be a threat to unattended nests.
Did You Know?
- Snowy Owls have excellent hearing and can locate prey under thick snow.
- They can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
- Snowy Owls sometimes hunt by walking on the ground to catch prey.
- Sightings are unusual, although one particular spot that welcomes winter visitors each year is Logan Airport in Boston, where up to 23 individuals were counted in one year.
- In captivity, they can live for up to 28 years.
FAQs
Are Snowy Owls white all year?
Snowy owls do not change their plumage seasonally and are white or mostly white all year round. Throughout the year, they use their white plumage to reflect the sun, causing a “flash” signal that allows them to assert their claim to a territory and deters other owls from approaching.
What time of day are Snowy Owls most active?
Due to the extreme changing patterns of daylight hours in their Arctic habitats, snowy owls do not have the same nocturnal habits as other owls. Typically, they are most active in the evening and overnight, even in periods with zero darkness.
How do you attract Snowy Owls?
Snowy owls live in particularly inhospitable environments within the Arctic Circle and attracting them to live in your yard would be highly challenging.
Encouraging snowy owls onto your property is not particularly recommended due to their aggressive reaction to being disturbed by humans and a need for vast open landscapes, such as fields and airport runways, to meet their foraging needs.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Bubo scandiacus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22689055A205475036.
View source - 3
report, 2019: Partners in Flight
- 2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source - 4
website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1
View source
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