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Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) wildlife photograph

Field guide · rare

Snowy Owl

The ghost of the Arctic, a white hunter of the tundra that drifts south in irruption years and hunts lemmings by daylight.

Vulnerable

Bubo scandiacus

Overview

The snowy owl is one of the largest and most striking owls on Earth: pure white with black flecks in males, more barred in females, and bright yellow eyes that scan the tundra for lemmings. Unlike most owls, it hunts primarily by day, a adaptation to the Arctic summer when the sun barely sets.

Snowy owls nest on the ground in the Arctic tundra and occasionally irrupt south in winter, delighting birders across Canada and the northern US. A white shape on a fence post in a snowy field is a moment collectors remember for years.

Habitat

  • Arctic tundra
  • Open coast
  • Farmland

Arctic tundra across Canada, Alaska, and Eurasia holds breeding snowy owls. In winter they move south to open country, airports, farmland, and coastlines, following lemming cycles and food availability.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Snowy Owl: length around 50-70 cm; weight 1-3 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 10 years in the wild; longer in captivity.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise arctic tundra, open coast, and farmland. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Large white owl with yellow eyes and a rounded head lacking ear tufts. Adult males are nearly pure white; females and young show heavier dark barring. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Specialist hunter of lemmings and other small mammals on the tundra; also takes birds when rodents are scarce. Can consume large numbers of lemmings in a productive year.

Behaviour

Diurnal hunter of open country, perching on hummocks, posts, or ground. Breeds on Arctic tundra; in some winters irrupts south into farmland and coasts following prey cycles.

How to identify

Large white owl with yellow eyes and a rounded head lacking ear tufts. Adult males are nearly pure white; females and young show heavier dark barring.

Interesting facts

  1. 01

    Snowy owls hunt in daylight, unlike most owls.

  2. 02

    A single owl can eat over 1,600 lemmings in a year.

  3. 03

    Harry Potter's owl Hedwig helped raise awareness of the species.

Conservation status

VU: Vulnerable

Snowy owls are Vulnerable, with populations linked to unpredictable lemming cycles and climate change affecting Arctic habitat. They face disturbance from increasing tourism and vehicle collisions.

Sources: IUCN Red List

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