Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Snowy owls are mostly white with narrow, sparse brown bars and spots. Their golden colored eyes are rather small for an owl and their toes and claws are thickly covered with feathers. Their dark colored bills are short and strong and sharply pointed. They are among the largest North American owl species.
Height Up to 27 inches
Length 20-27 inches (wingspan of 4.5-5.5
feet)
Weight 40-70 ounces; males smaller than females
Lifespan The oldest bird living in the wild was recorded to be 9 years and 5 months. A captive bird lived for at least 28 years.
Diet
Mainly mammals ranging from small rodents to large hares.
Also
known to eat birds ranging in size from small songbirds to medium-sized geese
and lemmings. An adult owl may eat around 3 to 5 lemmings each day (1600
per year).
Population
Their local numbers are high when the lemming population they prey on is high and lower when the lemming population is low.
Range
In North America, snowy owls are found during the breeding season from the western Aleutians in Alaska to northeastern Manitoba (Churchill), northern Quebec and northern Labrador in Canada. In the winter, they can regularly be found in the northern United States. Sporadically they can be found as far south as central California as well as in Texas and Florida.
Behavior
Unlike most other owl species, snowy owls hunt mainly in the daytime. Snowy owls are highly nomadic and their movements are tied to the abundance of their primary prey species, lemmings. They are known to aggressively defend their nests and will attack those that disturb their nests.
Reproduction
Mating Season May
Gestation About 32 days for egg
incubation
Clutch size Varies depending on availability of food; 3-5 eggs
during times of limited food availability and 7-11 when food is
plentiful.
Only females incubate the eggs. The male provides the female and
young with food. The young owls begin to leave the nest around 25-26 days after
hatching. They are not able to fly well until at least 50 days of age. They
continue to be fed by the parents for another 5 weeks after they leave the
nest.
Threats
Collisions with automobiles, utility lines and other objects and gunshot wounds. Recent reports indicate these birds are being illegally killed for their eyes and feet, which are traded in Asian markets.
Legal Status/Protection
CITES Appendix II*. Snowy owls are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act**, however, Alaska law allows Alaska residents to shoot unlimited numbers of owls if they are used for food or clothing. No bird or part of a bird may be sold or offered for sale.
* Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival.
**The Migratory Bird Treaty Act implements various treaties and conventions between the U.S. and Canada, Japan, Mexico and the former Soviet Union for the protection of migratory birds. Under the Act, taking, killing or possessing migratory birds is unlawful.
How You Can Help
- Help Snowy Owls and other wildlife by adopting a snowy owl today at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
