Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus · Species of owl
Family
Order
Strigiformes
Conservation
VU Vulnerable
Codes
snoowl1, SNOW

About the Snowy Owl

The snowy owl, also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. It has a number of unique adaptations to its habitat and lifestyle, which are quite distinct from other extant owls. One of the largest species of owl, it is the only owl with mainly white plumage. Males tend to be a purer white overall while females tend to have more extensive flecks of dark brown. Juvenile male snowy owls have dark markings and may appear similar to females until maturity, at which point they typically turn whiter. The composition of brown markings about the wing, although not foolproof, is the most reliable technique for aging and sexing individual snowy owls.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyOwls (Strigidae)
SpeciesBubo scandiacus
Species Codessnoowl1, SNOW
ConservationVU Vulnerable

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Snowy Owl belong to?

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) belongs to the Owls family (Strigidae), in the order Strigiformes.

What is the conservation status of the Snowy Owl?

The Snowy Owl is classified as "Vulnerable" (VU) by IUCN Red List.

How can I identify the Snowy Owl?

The snowy owl, also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. It has a number of unique adaptations to its habitat and li...

Where can I report a Snowy Owl sighting?

You can log sightings of Snowy Owl on eBird (ebird.org) using species code snoowl1, or on iNaturalist.