Snowy owl is the common name for the species Bubo scandiacus, a large, white owl native to northern tundra regions. It is among the heaviest living owls and is readily recognised by its pale plumage, rounded head, and relatively long wings. Unlike many owls, snowy owls are often active by day, particularly in the continuous daylight of the Arctic breeding season.
Appearance and identification
Adult males tend to become almost entirely white with age, while females and immatures usually retain more dark barring or flecking that helps break up their outline on patchy tundra. Thick feathers cover the legs and toes, providing insulation against cold ground surfaces. Juveniles are darker and more heavily patterned than adults.
Range, habitat and movements
Snowy owls breed across the high-latitude Arctic and occur in suitable open tundra and coastal habitats through parts of North America and Eurasia. In winter some birds remain near the Arctic coast, while others move south in irregular irruptions to grasslands, agricultural areas, shorelines and sometimes suburbs. These movements are influenced primarily by prey availability.
Diet and hunting
They are opportunistic predators that take a wide range of vertebrate prey. In many areas the main prey are small tundra rodents, particularly lemmings, and years of high lemming abundance often lead to larger clutches and higher breeding success. Snowy owls also take other small mammals, birds and, in coastal situations, sometimes fish. They hunt visually from perches or by quartering open ground, and will capture prey both on the surface and by pouncing.
Breeding and vocalisations
Snowy owls nest on the ground, typically on slightly raised sites such as hummocks or ridges where nests are less likely to flood. Clutch size varies widely and is closely linked to food supply; when prey is abundant both clutch size and fledging success increase. Females incubate the eggs while males provide much of the food during incubation and early chick rearing. The species produces a range of calls; one commonly reported transcription for the male is a harsh "krek-krek," and females may produce softer notes described as "pyee-pyee" or "prek-prek."
Conservation, threats and research
Snowy owls face threats from changing Arctic ecosystems, disturbances to nesting areas, and hazards in wintering grounds such as collisions and human disturbance. Population trends vary geographically and are linked to prey cycles and habitat condition. Because of their conspicuous nature and broad winter movements, snowy owls are the subject of long-term monitoring, banding and tracking studies that help researchers understand migration, survival and the effects of climate change on tundra species.
Cultural significance
The striking appearance of the snowy owl has given it a place in folklore and modern culture. A famous example in contemporary literature is the female snowy owl named Hedwig in the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, who serves as the young wizard's animal companion. Indigenous peoples of Arctic regions also include owls in stories and knowledge systems, where the species is often respected as part of the natural world.