Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus

ForestVulnerableVulnerable
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), Animal Pocket card
Photo: Frank Vassen · CC BY 2.0 · source
Diet
Carnivore
Mass
2 kg
IUCN status
Vulnerable (VU)

In short

The snowy owl, also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. It has a number of unique adaptations to its habitat and lifestyle, which are quite distinct from other extant owls. One of the largest species of owl, it is the only owl with mainly white plumage. Males tend to be a purer white overall while females tend to have more extensive flecks of dark brown. Juvenile male snowy owls have dark markings and may appear similar to females until maturity, at which point they typically turn whiter. The composition of brown markings about the wing, although not foolproof, is the most reliable technique for aging and sexing individual snowy owls.

Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA licence).

Did you know?

The snowy owl, also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family.

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