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Last Updated: Mar 17th, 2009 - 10:42:11
The Snowy Owl
By Sarah Lane
Aug 19, 2006, 09:44 PST
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Snowy Owl
Nyctea scandiaca
The official bird of Quebec, the Snowy Owl, is a large diurnal owl from the Arctic and Subarctic regions. Diurnal means that it’s active during daytime hours instead of at night. This prestine owl has snow-white feathers with dark markings. It breeds in remote areas of the Canadian Arctic, and on the Arctic Tundra of North America and Eurasia. The number of Snowy Owls wintering in North America changes each year.
The Snowy Owl is by far the heaviest North American owl. Its bill is black and surrounded by feathers and it stands half a meter tall with a wing span of 1.5 meters. The average female weighs 2.3 kg and is dark white with a dark brown mix of feathers. The average male weighs 1.8 kg and has almost pure white feathers. This feature keeps it camauflaged in snow but the effect is lost in the summer. During the arrival of Spring, however, when the ground becomes patchy with snow, the Snowy Owls rest only on the patches. It has not been determined if they are trying to keep cool, or trying to be camauflaged.
Dense layers of down overlaid with thick layers of feathers cover even the legs and feet. With this type of insulation Snowy Owls can maintain a body temp of 38-40º even in -50º weather. They have large yellow eyes surrounded by disks of stiff feathers, which reflect sound waves to the ear openings. Their excellent hearing helps them detect prey in dim light.
The Snowy Owl’s eyes don’t move in their sockets so they have a swivel head. Their feet are powerful, curved, black claws 25-35mm long. They prey on small mammals such as arctic hares, seabirds and its favorite meal, lemmings. They swallow small prey whole and strong stomach juices digest the flesh. Indigestible bones, teeth, fur, and feathers are compacted into oval pellets which the bird regurgitates 18-24 hours after feeding.
The Snowy Owl is normally shy and silent, unless its nesting. If it feels threatened, it will hiss, scream, and snap its bill at intruders. The owls will even attack humans who approach their nests so stay back!
Source: Canadian Wildlife Service
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