Species · GBIF taxon 5959143
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacusAlso known as Polar Owl, White Owl, Arctic Owl, Great White Owl
Snowy owls are nomadic Arctic hunters that glide silently over the open tundra, relying on exceptional hearing and vision to detect prey beneath the snow. Unlike most owls, they hunt primarily during the day to take advantage of the continuous daylight of the polar summer. Their thick, heavily feathered feet and dense down insulation allow them to thrive in some of the coldest environments on Earth.
DiurnalArcticRaptor
Licensed reference(c) Bill Bouton, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Lemmings
- Ptarmigan
- Meadow Voles
Predators
- Arctic Fox
- Gray Wolf
- Golden Eagle
ThreatsClimate change, prey fluctuations, collisions with vehicles and power lines, and human disturbance
HabitatsArctic tundra, coastal dunes, open grasslands, and agricultural fields
Life span9 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- SpeciesBubo scandiacus
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with powerful talons and a sharp beak; maintain a respectful distance to avoid defensive strikes.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses razor-sharp talons and a powerful beak capable of inflicting deep puncture wounds and lacerations if cornered or defending a nest.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a massive, white-plumaged owl with bright yellow eyes, a rounded head lacking ear tufts, and heavily feathered feet.
- What to do
- Never approach a nesting or injured owl; contact local wildlife rehabilitation professionals if you suspect an owl needs help.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its white plumage with varying degrees of dark brown barring, often seen sitting directly on the ground or low perches.
- Support conservation
- Keep at least 100 meters away, especially during winter irruptions when these birds are already exhausted and conserving energy.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Use binoculars or a spotting scope to observe them without causing them to flush.
- Watch for stress signs: If the owl sits bolt upright, stares directly at you, or flies away, you are too close.
- Respect wintering grounds: Avoid sharing exact locations of wintering owls online to prevent crowds from stressing the bird.
Competitor Primary Prey 
Close Relative "Great Horned Owl, the first I've seen in decent light this year. Didn't want to disturb it for too long so we continued along the trail" by island deborah- is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Martin Mecnarowski (http://www.photomecan.eu/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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