Snowy Owl

Why in News?

The United Nations Convention has granted international protection to the Snowy Owl, along with 40 other species

• Scientific Name – Bubo scandiacus, a large, iconic white owl.
• Distribution – Native to the Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Migration – During winters to southern Canada, northern United States, and parts of Eurasia.
• Habitat – They primarily breed on the open, treeless Arctic tundra, grasslands, and coastal habitats.
• In winter, they migrate south to marshes, beaches, and agricultural fields that mimic the flat landscape of their home.
• Size – Length - 52–71 cm; Wingspan - 125–150 cm; Weight - 1.6–3 kg.
• Appearance – Large, white owl with black or brown markings.
• Thick feathers for insulation and feathered feet that act like fluffy slippers, making them heavier than Great Horned Owls.
• Known as the “Harry Potter owl” due to its popular association.

• Colour – Males are generally whiter than females, grow older and get whiter.
• The females never become completely white, remaining brownish with darker markings.
• Behaviour – Unlike most owls, snowy owls are diurnal, meaning they are active and hunt during the day, a necessary adaptation for the 24-hour daylight of Arctic summers.
• They are territorial, defending breeding and sometimes wintering grounds, often engaging in combat with other owls over territory.
• Diet – Primarily feeds on lemmings and small rodents, also hunts birds and small mammals.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN – Vulnerable.
  • CITES – Appendix II.
• Threats - Climate change is affecting Arctic ecosystems, habitat disturbance, and prey decline.

References

1. News Nation | Snowy Owl
2. All about Birds | Snowy Owl
3. National Geographic | Snowy Owl