Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl at a glance

Need to know

• Snowy Owls are one of the few owl species adapted to the Arctic tundra.
• They hunt mainly by day, unlike most other owls.
• Plumage color helps them blend into snowy environments for camouflage.
• During irruption years, they can be seen far south of their usual range.
• Males are almost entirely white, while females and juveniles have dark barring.

About the Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a striking, large owl species native to the vast open spaces of the Arctic tundra. Well-known for its brilliant white plumage and piercing yellow eyes, the Snowy Owl is a master of survival in extreme cold and is one of the few large predators that breed and hunt north of the Arctic Circle. While they primarily reside in their arctic home, snowy owls are famed for their occasional southward 'irruptions,' when large numbers migrate into North America or Europe, often delighting birdwatchers far from their usual haunts.

Snowy Owls are adapted for daylight hunting, using their keen eyesight and powerful talons to prey on lemmings, voles, birds, and occasionally rabbits. Recent decades have seen their populations decline due to changing climate patterns impacting their prey base, leading the IUCN to list the Snowy Owl as Vulnerable.

Physical characteristics

Size: 53 to 66 cm (21–26 in) in length, wingspan 125–150 cm (49–59 in). Weight: 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5–6.6 lbs). Lifespan: average 10 years in the wild; up to 23 in captivity.

• Dense, white plumage with variable dark barring
• Bright yellow eyes surrounded by black bill
• Feathered legs and feet for warmth
• Rounded head without ear tufts
• Large, powerful talons

Notable species

• Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) — Vulnerable. Open arctic tundra and grasslands; winters on open fields and coastal dunes in southern range Regions: Arctic tundra of Canada, Arctic tundra of Alaska, northern Scandinavia, northern Russia, Great Plains (USA, winter), Northeast United States (winter), British Isles (rare irruptions), northern Greenland.

Habitat and range

Original range: Arctic tundra regions of the Northern Hemisphere

Current distribution: Arctic tundra across North America and Eurasia, with winter dispersal to more southern open country regions in Canada, northern USA, northern Europe, and occasionally as far as the British Isles and Central Asia during irruptive years.

Preferred environments: arctic tundra, open grasslands, coastal dunes, agricultural fields (in winter), moorlands

Regions: Arctic tundra of Canada, Arctic tundra of Alaska, northern Russia, northern Scandinavia, northern Greenland, Northeast United States, Great Plains, British Isles, Central Asia

Where to see Snowy Owl

• Barrow (Utqiaġvik), Alaska — June – August (breeding season). Look for adults and chicks on open tundra during the 24-hour daylight.
• Saskatchewan, Canada — November – March. Best noted during winter, sometimes close to roads or in open fields.
• Great Lakes Region, USA — December – February (irruption years). Chance to see snowies perched on fence posts or airport runways.

Behavior and diet

Diet: Primarily lemmings and voles; also eats small birds, hares, and occasionally fish.

Social structure: Largely solitary outside of breeding pairs and family groups; territorial during breeding.

Communication: Hoots, barks, screams, and bill-clacking (mostly during breeding/defense). Visual displays include head bobbing, wing spreading.

• Diurnal hunting: active during the day, rare among owls.
• Long-distance movements: undertake irruptive migrations depending on prey abundance.
• Ground nesting: builds shallow scrapes directly on tundra for nests.
• Aggressive nest defense: adults vigorously protect nests, even against polar bears.

Interactions with other animals

• lemmings (prey): Snowy Owls depend heavily on lemmings during the breeding season; one owl can eat over 1,600 lemmings a year.
• Arctic fox (competitive): Both compete for small mammal prey and occasionally raid each other's nests.
• gulls (competitive): Gulls may harass Snowy Owls near breeding areas to defend their own nests.
• humans (threat): Human activity can disturb breeding sites and threaten populations through climate change and land use.

Conservation

IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable

Threats

• Climate change affecting prey availability
• Habitat alteration and disturbance
• Illegal hunting (historically)
• Vehicle collisions (especially during winter irruptions)

Conservation efforts

• Protection in key habitat areas
• Monitoring of population trends
• Education and awareness campaigns

How to help

• Support wildlife protection organizations focused on Arctic conservation
• Report sightings to scientific monitoring networks
• Reduce carbon footprint to help combat climate change
• Spread awareness about snowy owl ecology and challenges

Snowy Owl facts for kids

Snowy Owls are big, beautiful white birds that live in the icy Arctic tundra. They're great hunters and can spot tiny animals even in the snow! When food is hard to find, they sometimes travel far south where people can see them.

• Snowy Owls are one of the few owls that hunt during the day.
• They have bright yellow eyes—perfect for spotting prey!
• Baby snowy owls are covered in fluffy gray down.
• A hidden black beak is almost invisible under their feathers.
• They sometimes perch on buildings and tractors when visiting farmlands.

Did you know? Did you know? A single snowy owl can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in one year!

Watch & learn

• Snowy Owls: Arctic Hunters - Full Documentary — PBS Nature. This documentary dives deep into the life and survival strategies of Snowy Owls in the harsh Arctic, featuring stunning cinematography and close-up footage of hunting and nesting behaviors.
• Snowy Owls: Ghosts of the Arctic — BBC Earth. Explore the world of the Snowy Owl with breathtaking shots from the Arctic tundra, showcasing their impressive adaptations and beautiful white plumage through dramatic storytelling and expert narration.
• Snowy Owls Up Close - Powerful Arctic Predators — Smithsonian Channel. Get an intimate look at Snowy Owls as top predators in Canada’s tundra, including night vision hunting and chick rearing, filmed with advanced technology for extraordinary detail.
• The Mysterious Journey of the Snowy Owl — Nat Geo WILD. Follow Snowy Owls as they migrate and hunt across the Arctic Circle, discovering their unique adaptations and the conservation challenges they face today.
• Snowy Owl Adaptations: Life in Extreme Cold — National Geographic. National Geographic presents an in-depth look at the behavioral and physical adaptations that let the Snowy Owl thrive where few birds can survive.