Snowy owl
Snowy owls can usually be found perched near ground level in their habitat, but you can often find Tundra perched up in the trees.
Snowy owls are unique among owls because they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. In the continuous daylight of an Arctic summer, they hunt at all hours. These impressive birds can consume more than 1,600 lemmings in a single year. With thick feathers that provide insulation against the harsh Arctic cold, snowy owls are the heaviest owls in North America, typically weighing around 4 pounds. This is one pound heavier than the great horned owl and twice the weight of the great gray owl, which is North America’s tallest owl.
|
Snowy owls
conservation connection
|
It is difficult to estimate snowy owl populations because they live in remote areas, have huge territories, and their migration is widespread and can be unpredictable. However, it is believed that their population is stable in the wild. |
Snowy owl migration is heavily dependent on available food sources, so they can be seen here in Washington state. Whenever a snowy owl makes an appearance, bird watchers, or birders, will flock to the area for a sighting. Good birders follow the rules of ethical birding, which includes respecting birds and their spaces as well as other birders. |