Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) lives in arctic tundra across Circumpolar Arctic. It feeds on lemmings and rodents. Its conservation status is Vulnerable.
Fascinating facts about the Snowy Owl
- The snowy owl is the only owl with mainly white plumage, giving it the uncanny appearance of a pale rock or a lump of snow on the tundra. Males are usually a purer white, while females display more extensive dark brown flecks across their feathers. Juvenile males start with dark markings that can make them look like females until they mature, after which they become markedly whiter.
- Snowy owls have extremely thickly feathered white toes and black claws, which provide warmth and grip on icy surfaces. This adaptation helps them cope with the extreme cold of the tundra.
- Ear tufts on snowy owls are very small, measuring only 20 to 25 mm and consisting of about ten feathers, and they are usually concealed against the head. They can be erected in certain situations, most frequently by a female when she is sitting on the nest, providing a subtle visual signal. Although the species generally appears tuftless, these vestigial tufts may become visible during nesting or when the bird feels threatened.
- The worldwide population of snowy owls has dropped dramatically, falling from an estimated over 200 000 individuals to probably fewer than 100 000 today. This steep decline is reflected in the number of breeding pairs, which is now thought to be around 28 000 or even less. Such a reduction suggests the species is declining precipitously, although the exact causes remain unclear.
- Snowy owls lay a remarkably large clutch, usually between five and eleven eggs, and the eggs hatch at different times, spreading the breeding effort over a longer period. This staggered hatching helps the parents cope with the brief Arctic summer, yet the young still require a relatively long development time. The fledglings only achieve independence in autumn, after the short season has ended.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeCircumpolar Arctic
HabitatArctic tundra
DietLemmings and rodents
About the Snowy Owl
Across the Arctic tundra, the Snowy Owl reigns as a ghostly monarch, its feathers a shimmering cloak of white that blends seamlessly with the frozen landscape as it glides effortlessly on silent wings. With eyes like piercing lanterns, it scans the snow-covered expanse, a master of stealth and patience, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with talons outstretched. As it takes to the skies, its wings beat with a slow, hypnotic rhythm, a mesmerizing dance of power and precision that belies the vulnerability of this majestic creature.
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Snowy Owl photographed on Feravox
