Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl
Nyctea scandiaca

Habitat:	Open tundra, airports, beaches, and marshes.

Range:	Nests in the tundra of North America and Eurasia; during winter can be found much further south.

Voice:	A deep booming hoot and barking noises. Normally quiet when not breeding.

Identification:	Length: 20 - 27 inches Wingspan: 54 - 66 inches Weight: 3.5 - 4.5 pounds A large diurnal owl (hunts during the day) with yellow eyes. Its rounded head has very small ear tufts which are difficult to see. The body is white with dark markings. Adult males are the whitest, females are darker, and immature birds are the darkest. An easy owl to identify, but easily blends in with the snow.

Diet:		The favorite food of this owl is the lemming, but it will also eat other rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and carrion (dead animals).

Nest:	Nests in May or June. The nest is a scrape in the ground. They lay between 3 and 11 eggs, depending on the amount of food available. It takes 32 - 34 days for the eggs to hatch. The young may leave the nest after two weeks but won't be able to fly until seven weeks old. The Snowy Owl only has one brood per year.

Comments:	The Snowy Owl has feet that are completely feathered. This not only helps to keep the feet warm, but also acts as snowshoes helping the bird to walk in the snow. While nesting, it will act crippled if a predator approaches. It will then lure the predator away from the nest, just like a Killdeer. This owl travels southward in the winter, especially during times when food is scarce.


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