Snowy Owl
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| Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. Until recently, it was regarded as the sole member of a distinct genus, as Nyctea scandiaca, but genetic analysis showed that it is very closely related to the horned owls in the genus Bubo. It is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl or the Great White Owl.
This huge yellow-eyed white bird is unmistakable. It is 53-65 cm long with a 125-150 cm wingspan. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily-feathered feet, and coloration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.
Snowy Owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking, almost quacking krek-krek-krek-krek; the female also has a softer mewling pyee-pyee-pyee-pyee. The song is a deep repeated gawh.They may also clap their beak in response to threats or annoyances. While called clapping, it is believed this sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue, not the bill.
The Snowy Owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region, where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60 degrees north. However, it is a particularly nomadic bird, and because population fluctuations in its prey species can force it to relocate, it has been known to breed at more southerly latitudes than this.
This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. A site with good visibility, ready access to hunting areas, and a lack of snow is chosen. Gravel bars and abandoned eagle nests may be used. Breeding occurs in May, and depending on the amount of prey available, clutch sizes range from 5 to 14 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. Hatching takes place approximately five weeks after laying, and the pure white young are cared for by both parents. Snowy Owls winter south through Canada and northernmost Eurasia, erupting further south in some years. They have been reported as far south as Texas, Georgia, the American Gulf states, southern Russia and northern China.
This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other rodents for food, but at times when these prey are not available, or during the ptarmigan nesting period, they may switch to young ptarmigan. As opportunistic hunters, they feed on a wide variety of small mammals and birds, and will take advantage of larger prey, frequently following traplines to find food. Nesting birds require roughly two lemmings per day, and a family may eat up to 1500 lemmings before the young birds set off to fend for themselves.
Although Sibley's North American Bird Guide, (ISBN 1-873403-98-4) suggests that only starving birds hunt during the day, this is not correct. Healthy Snowy Owls, like Short-eared Owls, typically hunt during the day, though they may also hunt at night, and in the nightless Arctic summers, they can hardly avoid being diurnal.
Due to their beauty Snowy Owls are kept in captivity by wildlife centers, zoological gardens and by serious hobbyists. They are known to be sensitive to disease, stress and heat, frequently perishing during attempts to train a wild owl during the summer. These owls are not suitable for beginning raptor keepers.
The Snowy Owl has featured prominently in the popular Harry Potter fantasy novels as the eponymous hero's animal companion Hedwig.
The fantasy image of the Snowy, its striking appearance have caused an increased demand in these, and other owls. Stories and movies involving Snowys increase the interest in learning about them and keeping them.
These beautiful birds can cause quite a stir when conditions drive them south into more populous regions. These birds are pursuing food, and at these times are often near their limits when it comes to meeting their energy needs. If, rather than spending their time hunting to sustain their energy, they are forced to evade overzealous photographers or careless pet owners, they often starve to death. It is important for these winter birds to view them from a respectful distance so as not to drive them to starvation.
The Snowy Owl is the official bird of Quebec.
