What kind of bird is a snowy owl? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Many snowy owls live in the northern part of the world, and they are very well known because they have appeared in movies such as Harry Potter. Therefore, we will introduce what kind of characteristics it has.
What is a snowy owl? About basic status
The Snowy Owl is a bird classified in the Owlidae family. The scientific name is Bubo scandiacus. The body length is 50cm-60cm, and the wingspan is 140cm-165cm. Weight is 1-3kg. In kanji, it is written as white owl. It is a large type. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | シロフクロウ |
| English（英名） | Snowy Owl |
| scientific name(学名) | Bubo scandiacus |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Strigiformes、 Strigidae、Buho 鳥綱、フクロウ目、フクロウ科、ワシミミズク属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 50cm-60cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1-3kg |
About classification
Snowy owls are classified in the genus Eagle Owl. The snowy owl is often treated as a separate genus called the genus Nyctea, which is very controversial.
Snowy Owl Taxonomy
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界 (Animalia) |
| 門 | 脊索動物門 (Chordata) |
| 綱 | 鳥綱 (Aves) |
| 目 | フクロウ目 (Strigiformes) |
| 科 | フクロウ科 (Strigidae) |
| 属 | フクロウ属 (Bubo) |
| 種 | シロフクロウ (Bubo scandiacus) |
About habitat
Its habitat is in northern Europe and North America.
Snowy Owl Habitat
Main Distribution Areas
Arctic and Subarctic Tundra
Northern North America (Northern Canada, Alaska)
Northern Europe (Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland)
Northern Russia and Siberia
Habitat
Prefers open plains and tundra
Rarely found in forested areas, preferring environments with wide visibility and easy prey hunting
In winter, they migrate south, sometimes appearing on farmland, grasslands, and along coastlines (individuals that migrate outside the Arctic are called “erebrations”).
Seasonal Migration
Summer: Spend time in the Arctic tundra where they breed
Winter: Migrate south to find food (appears in open areas of North America and Northern Europe)
Migration distances vary greatly depending on the individual and the year
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Snowy owls prefer to live in tundra, grasslands, wetlands, and rocky areas. During the breeding season, they are widely distributed in the Arctic Circle, and in winter they migrate south to North America, Eurasia, and as far as Hokkaido in Japan. Its feathers are white, with feathers extending all the way to its toes, and its most distinctive feature is its short beak. Additionally, the female is larger than the male, making it a rare type of owl. They do not perch in trees, preferring to live alone on ice blocks, rocks, and stumps on the plains. They are often active during the day.
Characteristics of the Snowy Owl
Body Size/Body Shape
Body Length: Approximately 52-71cm
Wingspan: Approximately 125-150cm
Weight: Approximately 1.6-3kg
A large owl, characterized by a stocky body and round face
Feathers/Color
Almost white feathers mimic the snow as a protective coloration
Females and young birds have black or brown spots
In winter, they often appear whiter overall
Head/Face
Round face and large yellow eyes
Ear feathers (feathers that look like ears) are not prominent.
Calls
A low, resonant “whoosh” sound.
Often heard during breeding season or during territorial calls.
Behavior/Personality
Mostly diurnal (unusual for an owl).
As a bird of prey, it watches its prey intently and captures it in flight.
During the breeding season, it is highly vigilant and protects its nest.
Diet
Preys primarily on small mammals (such as lemmings and mice).
May also eat birds and fish when necessary.
What is your personality like?
If you’ve ever kept an owl, you’ll know that owls aren’t the kind of animals you’d want to tame and play with. This is an animal that likes to do things at its own pace and wants a relationship that doesn’t interfere with each other.
Snowy Owl Personality and Behavior
Highly cautious
In the wild, they are always aware of predators.
They will quickly flee or threaten humans or other large animals when approached.
Mostly diurnal
While most other owls are nocturnal, snowy owls are active during the day.
Since their prey, such as lemmings, is diurnal, they adapt their hunting activities to the daytime.
Highly independent
They have individual territories, and males in particular closely guard their nests during the breeding season.
They generally act alone outside of the breeding season.
Curious but cautious
They may show curiosity about new environments and sounds.
However, they will quickly fly away if they perceive danger.
Aggression
Males become very aggressive during the breeding season, protecting their nests and females.
Territorial disputes can sometimes be seen even at feeding areas.
What is the ecology like?
The snowy owl’s diet consists of eating small mammals such as mice and rats, as well as insects. They nest on high ground in the tundra and incubate their eggs. Lifespan is 15 to 20 years.
Snowy Owl Ecology
Habitat
Mainly Arctic and Subarctic tundra regions
Prefers open plains and grasslands, living in areas with good visibility and easy prey hunting
May migrate south to farmland or coastal areas in winter
Activity Period
More diurnal than other owls
Actively hunts during the day
Due to food scarcity in winter, they may be active both day and night
Diet
Preys primarily on small mammals (lemmings, rodents)
May also prey on birds and fish depending on the situation
Due to the scarcity of prey in winter, they travel a wide area to hunt
Breeding
Breeding Season: Spring to early summer (adjusted to the short summer in the Arctic)
Nests are built on the ground and lightly covered with stones and grass.
Egg size per clutch: Usually 3-11 eggs
Both parents raise the nest, with chicks leaving the nest in about a month and a half.
Migration/Winter Behavior
Breeding in the Arctic in summer
Some individuals migrate south in winter in search of food (there is also a mass migration known as “erebulation”).
Sociality
They generally live solitary lives outside of the breeding season.
During the breeding season, males and females work together to build nests and raise chicks.
Lifespan
Approximately 9-10 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity.
Are there any natural enemies?
Snowy owls’ natural enemies include arctic foxes and wolves. Larger eagles may also become natural enemies.
About Snowy Owl Chicks
Snowy owl chicks have unique characteristics in appearance, behavior, and development.
Characteristics of Snowy Owl Chicks
Hatching and Early Appearance
Body length immediately after hatching: Approximately 10-15cm
Weight: Approximately 50-70g
Their entire bodies are covered in fluffy white down, and they have a round head shape like their parents.
Their eyes develop into yellow, but their vision is not fully developed immediately after hatching.
Life in the Nest
Nests are built on the ground and are simply surrounded by stones and grass.
Parents stay near the nest to feed and protect them.
When threatened, parents defend their chicks by threatening or attacking.
Diet
Initially, they are fed by their parents. (small mammals and birds)
As they grow, they begin to practice catching small prey on their own.
Growth Process
Feathers gradually change from down to adult feathers.
They leave the nest at about 1.5 months of age.
They continue to accompany their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest, learning hunting and survival skills.
Personality and Behavior
They are cautious immediately after hatching and move carefully outside the nest.
Chicks acquire basic athletic and hunting skills by playing with other chicks and flapping their wings.
After Flinging
They become independent at about 1.5 to 2 months of age.
They leave their parents and begin to establish their own territories.
Is the snowy owl an endangered species?
The snowy owl is an endangered species. Currently, it is said that there are only about 14,000 to 28,000 mature breeding pairs of snowy owls in the world. The number of lemmings that can be eaten is decreasing, and it is suggested that there may be as few as 1,700 lemmings worldwide, and the possibility of extinction has been pointed out. The estimated population in North America is estimated to decline by a further 52%.
Details of Conservation Status
International Assessment (IUCN)
Classification: Least Concern (LC)
Reason: Widely distributed, mainly in the Arctic, with relatively stable populations
Regional Status
Populations fluctuate in North America and Europe.
Local declines may be observed due to winter food shortages and climate change.
Threats
Habitat changes due to climate change (tundra shrinkage, lemming population fluctuations)
Habitat impacts due to human activity (southward migration to tourist destinations and agricultural land)
Predation pressure is not a major issue, as it depends on the natural environment.
Protection
While not subject to special international protection, habitat protection is in place in the Arctic and some national parks.
Can snowy owls be kept?
Can snowy owls be kept as pets? Unfortunately, it is also listed in the Washington Convention and its international trade is severely restricted. Therefore, the only option is to have the animal surrendered to a zoo. It is recommended that you enter the zoo and see the information about events.
Why Snowy Owls Can’t Be Kept as Pets
They are wild animals.
Snowy owls have adapted to vast natural environments, including the Arctic. In Japan, their capture and captivity are prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Species Conservation Act.
Keeping them without permission is illegal.
Large and Unique Biology
They are large birds of prey, measuring 50-70 cm in length and with a wingspan of approximately 125-150 cm.
They require a large hunting range, and a home environment does not provide them with sufficient exercise and flight space.
Special Diet
They primarily prey on small mammals (lemmings, mice, etc.).
Food is difficult to obtain, and artificial feed is extremely difficult to substitute.
Personality and Vigilance
In the wild, they hunt during the day, but they are highly cautious and do not get used to people.
If captured, they are prone to becoming ill due to stress.
Health management is difficult.
Even veterinarians have difficulty examining them, and there is a high risk of illness and injury.
Their lifespan and breeding in captivity are also very limited.
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