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Snowy Owl

Nyctea scandiaca ORDER: STRIGIFORMES FAMILY: STRIGIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Snowy Owl Photo

At the extreme northern margins of the arctic tundra lives the Snowy Owl, the northernmost, heaviest, and most distinctively marked owl of North America. Largely diurnal, it spends much of its time perched still and silent on prominent lookouts, waiting to make forays for prey.

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Appearance

Owls
Owls
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large, white owl.
  • Some dark barring.

Immature Description

Immature like adult female. Male gets whiter as it ages.

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Snowy Owl Range Map
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Similar Species

  • White-morph Gyrfalcon has smaller head, pointed wings, and long tail.
  • Barn Owl is white below, but has a brown back and lacks barring.
  • Albino Red-tailed Hawk lacks barring, has smaller head, and longer tail.