Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Track and Watch 3
This species is one of the 'track and watch' species in the Yukon as it is rare, threatened or both. If you see this species please take a photo (if you can), note where you are and either upload it to iNaturalist or send it straight to the Conservation Data Centre (CDC) by downloading a Field Observation Form for animals or by using your own method or reporting, and sending it to us: yukoncdc@gov.yk.ca
Morphology 4
Snowy owls are the largest bird species in the arctic, 63-73cm/25-29in long with an average wingspan of 170cm/67in. Females are larger and heavier than the males, weighing 1550-1600 grams, compared to males which weigh 1450-1500 grams. Snowy owls are predominantly white with dusky brown spots and bars. Females tend to have more markings than males, which may become nearly completely white as they age. Young snowy owls are generally darker and more heavily marked than adults. Snowy owls have yellow eyes and their legs and feet are covered in white feathers that protect them from the cold weather.
Habitat 5
Snowy owls inhabit open tundra, usually from sea level to less than 300 m elevation. They may also inhabit lowland salt grass meadows and poorly drained freshwater wet meadows, especially for hunting. When food is scarce, snowy owls travel south to warmer climates in winter. Prime winter habitat in the Great Plains is similar to their breeding habitat. In the south, they are frequently seen in villages and urban centers, as well as in marshes and on dunes.
Ecosystem roles 6
Snowy Owls are carnivorous and hunt by perching above the ground and watching for prey over a large area by turning their heads so they can see everything in 360 degrees. They affect the populations of animals that they eat. For example, one owl may kill more than 1,600 lemmings in one year. Snowy owls also compete with many other species for lemmings and other prey. Some species may benefit by nesting near snowy owl nests. For example, greater and lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens) that nest near snowy owls seem to be protected from other predators.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Athanassios Pappas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/30868029@N08/2924108695
- (c) Mike Norkum, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikenorkum/23023418474/
- (c) Yukon Conservation Data Centre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31410409
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31410408
- Adapted by Yukon Conservation Data Centre from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25066014
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Animal | Bird |
|---|---|
| Color | white |
| Bird | owl |
