Snowy owl
The snowy owl is a large bird native to the Arctic, known for its striking white plumage, with females being slightly larger than males. It typically measures between 20 and 28 inches in length and can be found in regions such as Alaska, Canada, and parts of Europe including Iceland and Scandinavia. During the cold winter months, the snowy owl migrates southward in search of food, sometimes reaching areas as far south as the Caribbean Sea. Its diet primarily consists of small mammals like lemmings and rabbits, and it prefers to hunt during dusk and dawn rather than at night.
The snowy owl forms monogamous pairs and establishes large territories during the mating season, with females laying between three to 16 eggs in a nest on the ground. The young owlets are born covered in soft white down and are capable of flying within a few weeks. Despite its remarkable adaptations, the snowy owl faces threats from predators like wolves and Arctic foxes, and its populations are increasingly vulnerable due to climate change and habitat loss. The snowy owl can live up to 28 years in the wild, showcasing the resilience of this magnificent species amidst environmental challenges.
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Snowy owl
The snowy owl is one of the largest birds in the Arctic region. During the coldest months, the snowy owl sometimes migrates south to warmer places to find more food. During these months, the snowy owl may be found as far south as the Caribbean Sea.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Bubo
Species: Scandiacus
Growing to a length of between 20 and 28 inches (50 and 71 centimeters), the snowy owl is one of the largest birds in the Arctic region. The female is generally about 1/5 larger than the male. The plumage, or feathering, of the snowy owl is basically white, with the female speckled with brown markings to help her blend with the rocks and melting snow of her surroundings. The male's white plumage can be seen 1 1/4 miles (2 1/4 kilometers) away by his mate.
The snowy owl spends most of the year along the Arctic coasts of Iceland, Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. During the colder months, the snowy owl usually migrates south to warmer places. It has been known to travel as far south as the Caribbean Sea. If the snowy owl stays in the Arctic for the winter, it may fast, or not eat, for up to 40 days. During this time, the snowy owl saves energy by remaining as still as possible and living on the fat deposits under its skin which it collected during the summer.
Like other owls, the snowy owl is a carnivore, or meat-eater. It feeds on a variety of creatures including lemmings, rabbits, hares, mice, ducks, and other small mammals and birds. They may also eat fish. The snowy owl does most of its hunting at dusk and at dawn. Unlike other owls, the snowy owl rarely hunts at night. When hunting, the snowy owl flies low looking for its prey. When it sees something interesting it swoops down and snatches its prey off the ground with its long, sharp talons, or claws.
The snowy owl mates during the spring and summer between May and September. The male and female snowy owls both establish large territories which they protect from other members of their sex during the mating season. The male's defense cry can be heard six miles (nine kilometers) away from his territory. The female snowy owl builds her nest in a hollow place along the ground. After mating with the male she lays three to 16 glossy, white eggs in the nest. After a 27 to 34-day incubation period, or period of growth, the owlets hatch from their eggs using their "egg teeth." These small birds are covered with thin, soft, white, downy feathers. When the owlets are about 14 to 26 days old, they are able to fly. After about five to seven weeks they are able to hunt independently of their parents.
The snowy owl is sometimes threatened by animals such as wolves and Arctic foxes. It protects itself and its young with its sharp talons. Sometimes a parent pretends to be injured to lure a predator away from its nest.
The snowy owl has a life span of up to 28 years. Climate change and habitat loss have caused the snowy owl to become a vulnerable species.
Bibliography
Polan, Jason, and Mike Fernandez. “Snowy Owl - Audubon Field Guide.” National Audubon Society, 2024, www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/snowy-owl. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.
Schain, Ryan. “Snowy Owl Overview.” All About Birds, 2024, www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy‗Owl/overview. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.