Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus

Arguably the world’s most instantly recognizable owl species (thanks possibly to the “celebrity” of Hedwig in the Harry Potter series), the snowy owl is a powerful and fearsome presence on Arctic tundra landscapes. It preys on lemmings and voles and will also successfully chase and capture much larger mammals and birds.

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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

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Snowy Owl can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Snowy Owl can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Snowy Owl can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Snowy Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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