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Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacusOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)
Snowy Owl Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Hooked
  • Eye Color: Brilliant golden yellow, sometimes almost orange.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Spotted, Special (unique patterns or features)
  • Crown Color: White and may include narrow gray or brown barring.
  • Forehead Color: White
  • Nape Color: White
  • Throat Color: White
  • Cere color: White
Snowy Owl Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 51-69 cm (20-27 in)
  • Weight: 1814 g (64 oz)
  • Size: Size 4. Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color: White, Black
  • Underparts: White with narrow gray or brown barring.
  • Upperparts: White with variable gray or brown barring.
  • Back Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Belly Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Breast Pattern: Barred or banded

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Direct flap and glide flight., Strong deep wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 137-168 cm (54-66 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Notched Tail
  • Tail Pattern: White
  • Upper Tail: White with variable black barring.
  • Under Tail: White
  • Leg Color: Feathered in white.
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Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Bubo scandiacus
Length20 - 27 Inches
Wingspan60 Inches

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl: Large, white owl with variable black bars and spots. The head is round and lacks tufts, eyes are yellow, and the bill is black. Feathered feet and toes provide protection from the arctic cold. Direct flap-and-glide flight with powerful, deep wingbeats. North America's only all-white owl.

● Song: "hoo-hoo", "kruff-guh-guh-guk", "hooo-uh, hoo-uh, wuh-wuh-wuh"

● Foraging & Feeding: Snowy Owl: Feeds mainly on lemmings and voles, but takes whatever food is available. Usually hunts from an elevated perch during the day. Prey is captured on the ground, in the air, or snatched off the water surface.

● Breeding & nesting: Snowy Owl: Three to eleven white eggs are laid in a ground nest on top of an elevated rise, mound, or boulder. May not nest during years when lemming numbers are low. Eggs are incubated for 31 to 34 days.

● Similar species: Snowy Owl: Barn Owl has brown eyes, pale bill, brown-tinged back, and heart-shaped facial disk. Short-Eared Owl is smaller and browner.

Flight Pattern

Direct flap and glide flight., Strong deep wing beats.
Snowy Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Snowy Owl: Found mainly in the tundra of North America; sometimes driven by search for food as far south as Oklahoma, northern Alabama, and central California. Preferred habitats include lakeshores, marine coastlines, and marshes; may roost on buildings in cities and towns.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common on breeding grounds
MigrationIrregular
Weight64 Ounces