Snowy Owl

Vulnerable

Bubo scandiacus

No ratings yet
Rate this bird
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.

Visual Identification

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl

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

© 2025 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Stay informed about Snowy Owl and other fascinating birds, with expert bird watching tips, as well as relevant seasonal information.

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 75
Adaptability 90
Aggressiveness 70
Endurance 80

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 9 - 10 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 23 years [1]
0
6
13
19
25

years

The Snowy Owl typically lives for 9 to 10 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 23 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable [2]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

29,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[4]

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

Other names:

Arctic Owl, Great White Owl

Family:

Strigidae

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?

  1. Snowy Owls have excellent hearing and can locate prey under thick snow.
  2. They can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
  3. Snowy Owls sometimes hunt by walking on the ground to catch prey.
  4. 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.
  5. In captivity, they can live for up to 28 years.

Was this bird profile helpful?

Your feedback helps us improve our content

Community Experience

Community Ratings

No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!

Ease of Spotting
0.0/5
Visual Appeal
0.0/5
Song Recognition
0.0/5

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Sign in to be the first to review

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. 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Bubo scandiacus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22689055A205475036.

    View source
  2. 4

    report, 2019: Partners in Flight

  3. 3

    website, 2019: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 1

    website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1

    View source