Range

The Snowy Owl is found around the Arctic Circle. They are found throughout this area with resident populations living from Scandinavia in to Russia, Canada, Denmark and the state of Alaska in the US. On a rare occasion breeding pairs have settled in the United Kingdom and Iceland.

Throughout winter they will move south and can be found in portions of the United States of America along with Europe and Asia.

Habitat

Snowy owls are found in open tundras, lowland grasslands and coastal fields for most of the year. During Winter they will move in to marshes, dunes, prairies and fields.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place in May. Their breeding cycle is tied to the population of lemmings. When they are in large numbers many snowy owls will breed. When the lemming population is low the population of snowy owls will fall.

Males will attempt to attract a mate by flying up to her carrying a lemming. They maintain a territory which they defend by hooting to ward off other males. Typically they are monogamous but in years of extreme food abundance males have been observed mating with multiple females.

A female will form a nest on top of a boulder, hillock or small cliff. This allows them to scan their surroundings for threats while incubating the eggs. Their nest is a simple small scrape in to the ground.

In to this nest she deposits 3-13 eggs. These are incubated for 32-34 days. At hatching the chicks weigh 45g (1.5oz).

Young start to leave the nest as early as 3 weeks old with flight first achieved at 7 weeks old. They will continue to receive care from their parents till 9-10 weeks old.

Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years old.

Behaviour

The snowy owl is typically silent though they can make a horse croak or a whistle. These are primarily used during the breeding season.

Snowy owls maintain a home range for breeding. During winter though they are nomadic and travel south. They may move as far south as Florida in times where food is scarce.

In flight they remain close to the ground. Most of their activity occurs at dusk and dawn.

Predators and Threats

Snowy owls face few natural predators. They are preyed upon by foxes and wolves. Gulls will come and raid their nest for eggs or chicks.

Humans hunt them for food along with their feathers and claws. They are also indirectly affected through electrocution and vehicle strikes. Climate change has changed the onset of spring and as such reduced the availability of prey.

Quick Facts

The snowy owls travel South in the winter and when they gather in towns it is often an interesting event which is reported on by the media.