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Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacusOrder: STRIGIFORMES Family: True Owls (Strigidae)
Codes: Common Name: SNOW Scientific Name: BUBSCA ITIS Taxonomic No.: 686683
Least Concern
 
Snowy Owl
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Jelly Jar Jelly Feeder
The orange "blossum" replaces the lid of a jelly jar.
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Attract with Nectar
Hex shaped nectar feeds several Orioles. Nectar kept in fridge.
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Lovely copper umbrella keeps fruit cool and looks great.

Overview

Snowy Owl: Large, white owl with variable black bars and spots. The head is round and lacks tufts, eyes are yellow, and the bill is black. Feathered feet and toes provide protection from the arctic cold. Direct flap-and-glide flight with powerful, deep wingbeats. North America's only all-white owl.

Range and Habitat

Snowy Owl: Found mainly in the tundra of North America; sometimes driven by search for food as far south as Oklahoma, northern Alabama, and central California. Preferred habitats include lakeshores, marine coastlines, and marshes; may roost on buildings in cities and towns.

Topo Map: Owl-like Body


Listen to Call

Voice Text

Piercing whistle and bold, growling bark, krow-ow.

Interesting Facts

 Unlike most owls, the Snowy Owl has the ability to hunt during the day.  This is due to the fact that it does not get dark during the summer months in the Arctic.

 They are white because of a lack of pigment in their feathers.  This leaves more room for air, which increases the insulating ability of the feathers.

 Snowy Owls have feathers on their feet to provide extra protection from the severe cold of the Arctic.

 A group of owls has many collective nouns, including "a bazaar of owls", "a glaring of owls", "a parliament of owls", "a stooping of owls", and a "wisdom of owls."


Bird Term Glossary



Author

Gary Owen Dick

Splitbar
Range Map for Snowy Owl

Related Birds

Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Burrowing Owl
Great Gray Owl
Spotted Owl
.
Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Bubo scandiacus
Length20 - 27 Inches
Wingspan60 Inches

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl: Large, white owl with variable black bars and spots. The head is round and lacks tufts, eyes are yellow, and the bill is black. Feathered feet and toes provide protection from the arctic cold. Direct flap-and-glide flight with powerful, deep wingbeats. North America's only all-white owl.

● Song: Piercing whistle and bold, growling bark, krow-ow.

● Foraging & Feeding: Snowy Owl: Feeds mainly on lemmings and voles, but takes whatever food is available. Usually hunts from an elevated perch during the day. Prey is captured on the ground, in the air, or snatched off the water surface.

● Breeding & nesting: Snowy Owl: Three to eleven white eggs are laid in a ground nest on top of an elevated rise, mound, or boulder. May not nest during years when lemming numbers are low. Eggs are incubated for 31 to 34 days.

● Similar species: Snowy Owl: Barn Owl has brown eyes, pale bill, brown-tinged back, and heart-shaped facial disk. Short-Eared Owl is smaller and browner.

Flight Pattern

Direct flap and glide flight., Strong deep wing beats.
Snowy Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Snowy Owl: Found mainly in the tundra of North America; sometimes driven by search for food as far south as Oklahoma, northern Alabama, and central California. Preferred habitats include lakeshores, marine coastlines, and marshes; may roost on buildings in cities and towns.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common on breeding grounds
MigrationIrregular
Weight64 Ounces
Owl-like BodyX
4 and 6 letter alpha codesX

The four letter common name alpha code is is derived from the first two letters of the common first name and the first two letters of common last name. The six letter species name alpha code is derived from the first three letters of the scientific name (genus) and the first three letters of the scientific name (species). See (1) below for the rules used to create the codes..

Four-letter (for English common names) and six-letter (for scientific names) species alpha codes were developed by Pyle and DeSante (2003, North American Bird-Bander 28:64-79) to reflect A.O.U. taxonomy and nomenclature (A.O.U. 1998) as modified by Supplements 42 (Auk 117:847-858, 2000) and 43 (Auk 119:897-906, 2002). The list has been updated by Pyle and DeSante to reflect changes reported by the A.O.U from 2003 through 2006.

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ITIS CodesX

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) was established in the mid-1990�s as a cooperative project among several federal agencies to improve and expand upon taxonomic data (known as the NODC Taxonomic Code) maintained by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

To find the ITIS page for a bird species go to the ITIS web site advanced search and report page at http://www.itis.gov/advanced_search.html. You can enter the TSN or the common name of the bird. It will return the ITIS page for that bird. Another way to obtain the ITIS page is to use the Google search engine. Enter the string ITIS followed by the taxonomic ID, for example "ITIS 178041" will return the page for the Allen's Hummingbird.

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Parts of a Standing birdX
Head Feathers and MarkingsX
Parts of a Flying birdX