Snowy owl

There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

Bert de Tilly


Snowy owl

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

Population 28,000
64% decline from 1970 – 2014

An iconic symbol of the Arctic wilderness, its pristine white plumage blends seamlessly with the snow-covered landscapes of the far north. These majestic birds of prey are perfectly adapted to life in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Arctic Circle, where they roam the vast tundra in search of prey.

Unlike most owls, Snowy owls are diurnal hunters, meaning they are active during the day, particularly during the breeding season when the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer provides ample opportunities for hunting. Their primary prey during this time are lemmings, small rodents that are abundant in the Arctic tundra. Snowy owls rely heavily on lemmings to feed themselves and their young, and fluctuations in lemming populations can have a significant impact on their reproductive success.

During the winter months, when lemming populations decline and the Arctic landscape becomes covered in snow and ice, Snowy owls become generalist hunters, preying on a variety of migratory birds and rodent species. Their keen eyesight and acute hearing allow them to locate and capture prey with remarkable precision, even in the harshest of conditions.

Despite their formidable hunting skills, Snowy owls face numerous challenges in their Arctic habitat, including climate change and habitat loss. As temperatures rise and the Arctic ice melts at an alarming rate, the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem is disrupted, affecting the availability of prey species like lemmings and impacting the Snowy owl population.

In addition to environmental threats, Snowy owls also face predation from larger raptors and mammals, such as Arctic foxes and wolves. However, they have evolved various adaptations to evade detection and protect themselves and their young from predators, including their cryptic plumage and their ability to nest in remote and inaccessible locations.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Albania
2021
Vagrant
Austria
2021
Vagrant
Belarus
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Belgium
2021
Vagrant
Bermuda
2021
Vagrant
Canada
2021
China
2021
Non-Breeding
Croatia
2021
Vagrant
Czechia
2021
Non-Breeding
Denmark
2021
Non-Breeding
Faroe Islands
2021
Vagrant
Finland
100 pairs
Official estimate
VU
2021
France
2021
Vagrant
Germany
2021
Vagrant
Greenland
500–1,000 pairs
Official estimate
VU
2021
Hungary
2021
Vagrant
Iceland
2021
Non-Breeding
Iran
2021
Non-Breeding
Ireland
2021
Vagrant
Japan
2021
Non-Breeding
Kazakhstan
2021
Non-Breeding
Korea
2021
Vagrant
Kyrgyzstan
2021
Vagrant
Latvia
2021
Non-Breeding
Luxembourg
2021
Vagrant
Mongolia
2021
Vagrant
Montenegro
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Netherlands
2021
Vagrant
North Korea
2021
Vagrant
Norway
20 pairs
Official estimate
VU
2021
Pakistan
2021
Vagrant
Poland
2021
Vagrant
Portugal
2021
Vagrant
Russia
1,300–4,500 pairs
Official estimate
VU
2021
European Russia
Saint Pierre
2021
Serbia
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Slovakia
2021
Non-Breeding
Svalbard
2021
Breeding
Sweden
50 pairs
Official estimate
VU
2021
Turkmenistan
2021
Vagrant
Ukraine
2021
Non-Breeding
United Kingdom
2021
Non-Breeding
United States
2021

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No