Snowy Owl

scientific name

Nyctea scandiaca

size/weight/height

Weight:
• males ~3 -4 lbs.
• female ~4 - 6 lbs.
Length: 20-27"
Wingspan: 54 - 66"

adaptations/coloration

Color: mostly white • some dark barring (more prevalent in juveniles & adult females)
Eyes: large • wide set • yellow
Head: large • rounded
Legs/Feet: heavily covered with feathers (insulation from cold)
Voice: deep • hoarse croak, shrill whistle or loud barking growl 

behavior

crepuscular
Hooting: establishes territory

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: wild 20 yrs maximum • captivity 29 yrs
Courtship: March - April
Male Close-Range Display: standing open wing posture • wing closest female angled slightly towards her • food offered • vocalizations
Male Long-Distance Display: exaggerated flying pattern • not seen in exhibit
Mate: April - May
Nest Sites: outcroppings • small hillocks • highest & driest part of the tundra
Eggs: 5 - 8 (3 - 13 maximum) • female incubates 32 - 33 days • young leave nest ~16 days
• fly 43 - 57 days • male provides food and protects nest

diet

Wild: principal prey is lemmings • other - birds, fish, mice & small marine animals • during migration prey is ground squirrels, hares, moles, rabbits, rats, shrews & weasels
Zoo: chicken necks, mice (stuffed with Bird of prey formulated diet) & rats • fast 1 day/week to maintain semblance of life in wild

habitat/range

Arctic Tundra • anywhere near water during migration • often migrate to Southern Canada & northern US when food scarce • often seen in Oregon & Washington during these migrations

status

CITES App II • suffer great losses during migration due to lack of fear of humans (having had no previous contact with people)

oregon zoo exhibit

Wild Life Live!