Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N4B, N4N - Apparently Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding SNRN - Unranked Nonbreeding |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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The female is white with prominent dark dark brown spots and bars. The male is similar but with very little dark marking. Both males and females lose some of the dark marking as they age. Older males are often almost completely white. |
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Size |
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20″ to 27″ in length 54″ to 72″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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| No similar species | ||
Habitat |
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Prairie, marshes, agricultural fields, pastures, airports, and other open areas with fence posts, utility poles, or other perches |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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Early October to mid-April |
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Nesting |
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Nests in the arctic tundra of northern Canada and Alaska. |
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Food |
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Mostly voles and mice, but also grouse, hares, and weasels. Rarely songbirds. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Rare and local migrant and winter visitor |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Strigiformes (owls) | ||
Family |
Strigidae (typical owls) | ||
Subfamily |
Striginae | ||
Genus |
Bubo (eagle-owls and horned owls) | ||
This owl was originally named Strix scandiaca by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It was later moved into its own genus, and given the name Nyctea scandiaca, based on distinct plumage and minor skeletal differences. Mitochondrial DNA analysis in 2002 showed that the bird is closely related to the horned owls and it was moved to the genus Bubo. |
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Synonyms |
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Bubo scandiaca Bubo virginianus wapacuthu Nyctea scandiaca Strix scandiaca |
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Visitor Photos |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Snowy Owl JMC Nature Photos |
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| Snowy Owl 2011-2014 Gene Harriman |
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| Snowy Owls Peter Thiemann |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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Avi Birds |
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| Snowy Owl [Bubo Scandiacus] May 18, 2022 |
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About
In this video, we learn about the snowy owl. |
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Other Videos |
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| NATURE | Magic of the Snowy Owl | Owl of the Arctic | PBS PBS |
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About
Published on Oct 17, 2012 Watch the full-length episode at http://video.pbs.org/video/2291436455 In the dim glow of the Arctic glow, the true majesty of the snowy owl can be seen in its frozen, white kingdom. There is little relief from the constant wind. For adult snowies, the lengthening daylight means the chance to breed is drawing closer. "Magic of the Snowy Owl" premieres Wednesday, October 24 at 8/7c (check local listings) and is part of the 31st season of the Peabody and Emmy award-winning series produced by Thirteen in association with WNET for PBS. Major support provided by Canon U.S.A. Inc. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/magic-of-the-snowy-owl/preview/7833/ |
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| BBC Documentray 2015 || Snowy Owl || National Geographic Documentray || BBC Animals Lee K. Snyder |
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About
Published on Jul 14, 2015 BBC Documentray 2015 || Snowy Owl || National Geographic Documentray || BBC Animals |
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| Snowy Owl Invasion LabofOrnithology |
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About
Uploaded on Dec 22, 2011 Snowy Owls lead nomadic lives and travel vast distances from year to year searching for productive feeding areas. Some years, most recently in the winter of 2011/2012, conditions cause them to come south in great numbers. Get an intimate look at these white owls from the north through video and photographs captured by the Cornell Lab's, Gerrit Vyn. |
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| Snowy Owl Rescue & Release - Cape Wildlife Center The Humane Society of the United States |
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About
Published on Feb 24, 2014 Snowy owls, made famous by Harry Potter's Hedwig, have visited the U.S. in record numbers this year. The HSUS's Cape Wildlife Center, one of New England's largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities, has successfully treated and released one of these magnificent creatures. |
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| Snowy Owl Hooting groenelantaarn |
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About
Uploaded on Mar 29, 2011 Bubo scandiaca hooting |
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Visitor Sightings |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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