Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl Facts
| Size | 20.5-28 inches (52-71 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Weight | 2.8-6.3 pounds (1.3-2.9 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Food | Lemmings, voles, fish, mountain hares |
| Predators | Foxes, wild dogs |
| Distribution | North America, Northern Europe, Asia |
| Habitat | Arctic, Tundra/td> |
| Order | Owls |
| Family | True owls |
| Scientific name | Bubo scandiacus |
| Characteristics | Northernmost owl; white plumage and feathered feet |
Main Characteristics
The snowy owl is a large species of owl and is known for living the furthest north of all owl species. This magnificent bird inhabits the Arctic tundra and can endure temperatures as low as -68 degrees Fahrenheit (-56 degrees Celsius), setting a world record among all birds. Its most striking features include its white plumage, bright yellow eyes, and heavily feathered feet.
Distribution and Habitat
The snowy owl can be found in North America, Northern Europe, and Asia. It resides at the 82nd parallel, just eight degrees south of the North Pole. No other owl species inhabits areas further north. Its habitat includes the icy tundra and the frigid Arctic regions.
Way of Life
Snowy owls are solitary creatures. They spend a lot of time searching for prey. Unlike most other owls, they don’t perch in trees or on high branches. Instead, they prefer to sit on the ground or slightly elevated on an old tree stump.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The snowy owl is larger than both the great grey owl and the great horned owl. It measures 20.5-28 inches (52-71 cm) in body length and has a wingspan ranging from 116 to 183 cm. Its weight is 2.8-6.3 pounds (2.9 kg), with males averaging around 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) and females about 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg).
Bill
Unlike most other owls, the snowy owl has so many fine, soft feathers around its bill that it’s barely visible. When it squints its eyes and opens its beak, it looks as if it’s smiling or giggling.
Feet
The snowy owl has the longest feathers on its feet compared to all other owls, measuring up to 1.2 inches (33 mm) in length. In contrast, other owl species have noticeably shorter feathers. Even the large great horned owl's feet only have feathers that reach 0.5 inches (13 mm).
Tufted Ears
Snowy owls have tufted ears. However, they are rarely visible because they are only 0.8-1 inches (2-2.5 cm) long and usually lie close to the head to minimize heat loss.
Eyes
Snowy owls have bright yellow eyes.
Plumage
Snowy owls aren't always white, and they don't start out that way either. They have many brown spots that gradually fade over time. However, the female birds never become completely white.
Female or Male Snowy Owl – What's the Difference?
In snowy owls, distinguishing between males and females is quite straightforward. The female has many dark spots, bands, and stripes, while the male is predominantly white. Only young males display dark markings. Additionally, there are differences in size and weight. Females are noticeably larger and heavier. They weigh up to 6.6 pounds (2.9 kg), whereas males typically weigh a maximum of 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) and are smaller.
Adaptations to the Habitat
Winter Boots
When it comes to extremely cold temperatures, having the right "thermal clothing" is essential. Snowy owls are equipped with a dense layer of feathers on their legs and feet, made up of many small, soft plumes. It almost looks like these owls are wearing thick wool socks or furry winter boots!
Snowshoes
The feathers not only keep the owl's feet cozy and warm, but they also help prevent sinking into the snow thanks to the larger surface area of the feet. It's just like using snowshoes!
Perfect Camouflage
Snowy owls are perfectly adapted to their environment with their white feathers. In snowy landscapes, they can be quite difficult to spot. However, they don’t camouflage themselves to hide from predators, as they have none. Instead, their coloration aids them in hunting their prey.
Diet
Snowy owls are carnivores. They consume around 3-5 lemmings daily. Over the course of a year, an adult owl can catch 1,000-1,800 lemmings. Occasionally, these owls also hunt rabbits, small birds, and fish. They swallow their prey whole, and anything difficult to digest, like bones, teeth, and fur, is later regurgitated.
Behavior
Nocturnal or Diurnal?
Snowy owls are most active during twilight and at night, but they also search for food during the day. They don’t have set hunting times. Instead, they adapt to when their prey is active: lemmings at night and ptarmigans during the day. Additionally, the season plays a role. In the Arctic summer, they tend to hunt more during the day, while in winter, they are more likely to be more nocturnal.
Hunting Behavior
Perfect Vision and Hearing
Owls are incredibly skilled hunters. They have excellent eyesight, allowing them to spot small prey from a great distance. However, this ability is limited when a rodent is hiding beneath the snow. In such cases, another sense comes into play: their remarkable hearing. When a rodent moves under the snow, the owl can hear it and patiently waits for it to come up in search of food.
Just Above the Ground
Snowy owls glide just above the surface, giving the impression that they are hovering. When their prey is close enough, they extend their feet forward and capture it with their long black talons.
Sounds
Voice
The call of male snowy owls often resembles a deep bark, much like that of a dog. In contrast, females emit a high-pitched scream. Both genders have a repertoire of 15 different sounds, including clucks, squeaks, grunts, and hisses. Occasionally, they even "laugh" a bit like a duck.
Range
In terms of range, the call of a snowy owl can be heard from a distance of 7 miles (10-11 kilometers), as sound waves travel remarkably well in the thin, Arctic air.
Senses and Abilities
Sense of Sight
Snowy owls have an exceptional sense of sight. They can see very well at night, as their eyes are perfectly adapted to darkness. They excel at seeing things from a distance, although their close-up vision isn't as strong.
Sense of Hearing
Snowy owls have an exceptional sense of hearing. They can even detect sounds made by rodents beneath the snow or as they move through underground tunnels.
Life Expectancy
Snowy owls typically live around 10 years in the wild. However, one owl that was banded in Massachusetts (USA) in 1992 was found 23 years and 10 months later in Montana (USA). This could potentially be a record for wild snowy owl longevity.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Snowy owls are apex predators. This means they sit at the top of the food chain in their habitat, with no natural predators hunting them.
Human Impact
The biggest threat to the snowy owl is climate change. As temperatures rise, there is less snow in the tundra. This poses a problem because their primary prey, the lemmings, typically find shelter under the snow and are struggling to reproduce due to the harsher living conditions. As a result, there is less food available for the snowy owls, making survival increasingly challenging for them.
Conservation Status
Snowy owls are considered an endangered species. How many are left? According to an estimate by the IUCN in 2021, there are 14,000-28,000 adult individuals remaining. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of the satellite imagery analysis, suggesting that the actual number might be as low as 7,000-8,000.
Importance to the Ecosystem
Snowy owls play a crucial role in their ecosystem. They help maintain the balance of rodent populations, preventing them from reproducing too rapidly. In a single year, these owls can consume up to 1,800 lemmings. It might sound surprising at first glance, but this contributes to the survival of the lemming species. Without this natural control, the lemming population could grow so large that there wouldn't be enough food available for them and other animal species.
Reproduction
Breeding Season and Mating Behavior
The breeding season for snowy owls spans from May to September. Once two individuals find each other, they form a lifelong bond. Together, they select an area to establish as their territory for nesting.
Nest and Eggs
Snowy owls typically nest in a depression on the ground. The number of eggs they lay depends on how much food they can find. If prey is scarce in a given year, the female may lay only a few eggs—or none at all. Conversely, in years with abundant food, she can lay a large number of eggs. In fact, snowy owls hold the record for the largest clutch size among owls, with some regularly containing up to 11 eggs! The female doesn't lay all the eggs at once; instead, she lays them at intervals of about two days. While she incubates the eggs, the male provides her with food.
Chicks
After 32-33 days, the chicks hatch one by one. They weigh only 1.2-2 ounces (35-55 grams) at birth and are initially blind. After about three weeks, they make their first venture out of the nest, and by the time they are 50-60 days old, the young owls are capable of flying and hunting on their own.
Fun Facts
Why Do Snowy Owls Love Airports?
In winter, food becomes scarce in the Arctic tundra. As a result, snowy owls head a bit south and are often seen hanging around airports during this time. But why? The flat, open spaces and sparse grasslands remind them of their natural habitat.
The Snowy Owl Is a Movie Star
Hedwig, the owl from "Harry Potter", is a snowy owl. Interestingly, she is portrayed by a male owl, even though Hedwig is female in the books.
The Snowy Owl Is Quite Popular
The snowy owl is the official bird of the Canadian province of Québec.
The Snowy Owl Is Related To:
- Blakiston's Fish Owl
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
- Great Horned Owl
Animals in the Same Biome:
Quellen:
- "„Most northerly owl" (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- "Largest egg clutch laid by an owl" (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
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