Bubo scandiacus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Snowy owl
French : Harfang des neiges

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Large and unmistakable owl reaching 64 cm in length for a weight of 2.9 kg and a wingspan up to 1.66 m. No visible ear tufts, black bill, yellow eyes. Both sexes snowy white but female has black barring on head, breast, belly and wings.

Range and habitat
The species breeds above the Arctic circle, from north Scandinavia to Russia and in extreme north Alaska and Canada. Winters to south Russia and north USA. Lives in Arctic tundra, usually in open areas with little vegetation, coastal fields.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is legally protected but declining because of the effects of climate change and the decline of its main prey items.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

Back to “True owls and relatives” page