Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusWhere and when to see them

The snowy owl is a powerful owl of open Arctic landscapes, adapted to hunting across treeless ground in prolonged summer daylight. Adult males can become nearly white, whereas females and younger birds usually carry heavier dark markings. Its movements are strongly influenced by prey availability, and winter appearances far south are irregular. Climate-related changes to tundra ecosystems and uncertainty surrounding population trends make careful monitoring particularly important for this widely admired but vulnerable predator.

Size

52-71 cm (20-28 in) long; 126-145 cm (50-57 in) wingspan

Weight

1.2-2.5 kg (2.6-5.5 lb)

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Vulnerable

Snowy owls hunt from low perches or by flying over open terrain, using both vision and hearing to locate prey. They are active in daylight as well as at other times. Breeding pairs defend extensive areas around ground nests, sometimes vigorously attacking intruders. Where food is abundant, females can lay large clutches, but breeding may be absent or sparse when prey populations are low. Snowy owls are largely nomadic, with their movements often tied to fluctuations in prey populations, particularly lemmings. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, allowing them to detect prey beneath dense vegetation or snow.

• Females are usually larger and more heavily marked than males.
• It nests on the ground rather than in trees.
• Arctic summer daylight does not prevent it from hunting.
• Winter movements can include prolonged use of sea ice.

June through August is the most practical Arctic observation window for many travelers, overlapping potential breeding activity. Owls are unevenly distributed and may shift areas between years. Winter movements elsewhere are irregular and cannot be predicted from summer abundance alone. In some years, particularly during lemming population crashes, owls may not breed at all, making observations less likely. Arctic summer offers the best chance to see these impressive predators actively hunting and potentially nesting.

Breeding habitat is open Arctic tundra with good visibility and raised ground for nest placement. Outside breeding, birds may use coastal flats, grasslands, agricultural fields and sea ice. Trees are unnecessary, but broad, open hunting areas are essential. They are circumpolar, found throughout the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. During irruption years, large numbers can move south into more temperate latitudes, even reaching agricultural areas in the US and Europe.

Lemmings and other small mammals are central to breeding-season diets in many regions. Birds, including shorebirds and waterfowl, can also be important. The balance varies geographically and seasonally, and access to prey strongly affects nesting effort and movements. Owls swallow small prey whole and later regurgitate indigestible parts as a pellet. These pellets can be analyzed to understand their feeding habits.

Common name

Snowy Owl

Scientific name

Bubo scandiacus

Animal group

Birds

Size

52-71 cm (20-28 in) long; 126-145 cm (50-57 in) wingspan

Weight

1.2-2.5 kg (2.6-5.5 lb)

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Unlike other large northern owls, the snowy owl combines predominantly white plumage, yellow eyes and an almost earless rounded head, with females generally more heavily barred than adult males. Juveniles are heavily barred, often appearing almost entirely dark brown. Males tend to become whiter with age, while adult females retain more barring.