What are the main characteristics of the Snowy Owl?

The Snowy Owl is a large owl with predominantly white plumage, perfect for camouflage in the Arctic. Adult males are almost immaculate, while females and juveniles have more dark spots and bars. It has bright yellow eyes, a round head, and fully feathered feet.

Where does the Snowy Owl live and what are its preferred habitats?

The Snowy Owl is a resident of the Arctic tundras and circumpolar subarctic regions, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. It prefers vast open expanses with low vegetation, coastal dunes, and hilltops that offer clear views for hunting. In winter, it may migrate south, sometimes reaching temperate latitudes during 'irruptions'.

What does the Snowy Owl primarily feed on?

Its diet is heavily dependent on lemmings, which make up the majority of its prey in the Arctic. It also consumes other small mammals (voles, Arctic hares) and birds (ptarmigans, ducks, shorebirds). It is an opportunistic hunter that adapts its diet to available prey.

How does the Snowy Owl reproduce?

The Snowy Owl builds its nest directly on the ground, typically on a mound or slight elevation offering good visibility. Clutch size (from 3 to 11 eggs) is directly linked to lemming abundance. The female incubates the eggs for about 32 to 34 days, while the male provides food. Young owls leave the nest after about 3 to 4 weeks but continue to be fed by their parents for several more weeks.

Snowy Owl: The Majestic Arctic Hunter

An adult male Snowy Owl in flight. — The Snowy Owl, a large diurnal owl perfectly adapted to the harsh Arctic environment.

The White Monarch of the Frozen Expanses

The Snowy Owl (scientifically known as Bubo scandiacus, formerly Nyctea scandiaca) is an iconic owl of the vast Arctic and subarctic regions. This large, unique nocturnal birds of prey, with its predominantly white plumage, perfectly embodies adaptation to an extreme environment. Its piercing yellow eyes and majestic appearance make it a symbol of polar wildlife.

Unlike most owls, the Snowy Owl is often diurnal, taking advantage of the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer to hunt. It is a formidable predator, primarily of lemmings, whose abundance directly influences its breeding cycles and migrations. Its presence, often stealthy and silent, testifies to the hidden richness of our planet's coldest landscapes.

Our Ornithologist's Advice

By the Les-Oiseaux.com Team, published September 22, 2025.

My personal tip: Spotting a Snowy Owl is a rare treat! In the Arctic, look for it perched on slight elevations, mounds, or rocks, from where it surveys its hunting grounds. In winter, during more southerly 'irruptions', it often appears in open fields, near coasts, or airports, on posts or small knolls. Its white color makes it incredibly camouflaged in the snow. Be patient, use good binoculars, and most importantly, maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing it. It's a precious and fragile bird.

Identifying the Snowy Owl: Key Characteristics

The Snowy Owl is a distinctive large owl, whose identification is made easier by its specific plumage and silhouette.

Size: 53 to 70 cm (21 to 28 inches) in length. Average size is about 60-65 cm.
Weight: Males typically weigh between 1.5 and 2 kg (3.3-4.4 lbs), while the larger females weigh from 1.7 to 2.5 kg (3.7-5.5 lbs), sometimes up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs).
Wingspan: Generally between 1.4 and 1.7 meters (4.6 to 5.6 feet).
Eyes: Bright yellow and piercing, highly visible against the white plumage.

Plumage: The Snowy Owl is famous for its predominantly white plumage, which provides perfect camouflage in its snowy environment.

Adult Males: Almost entirely pure white, with very few dark markings.
Females and Juveniles: Exhibit more pronounced brown-black bars and spots on their body, wings, and tail. Juveniles are the most heavily barred.

Head: The head is round, without ear tufts (feather projections resembling "ears" found on other owls). The beak is black and small, almost entirely hidden by facial feathers. The feet are fully feathered, including the toes, offering excellent insulation against the cold.

Flight Silhouette: In flight, its broad, rounded wings and powerful flight resemble that of a hawk. It alternates deep wing beats with long glides.

Female Snowy Owl perched. — The female Snowy Owl is distinguished by her more pronounced dark bars.

Scientific Dimensions and Observations

Characteristic	Male	Female	Average / Observation
Length	53 – 65 cm	60 – 70 cm	53 – 70 cm (21-28 in)
Weight	1.5 – 2 kg	1.7 – 2.5 kg	Up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Wingspan	135 – 160 cm	145 – 170 cm	1.4 – 1.7 m (4.6-5.6 ft)
Lifespan	9 – 10 years	9 – 10 years	Up to 20+ years (captivity)

Not to be confused with...

Great Grey Owl

While large and found in northern regions, the Great Grey Owl is grey with distinct concentric facial discs and lacks the pure white plumage of the Snowy Owl. It is also more strictly nocturnal and inhabits forests.

Great Horned Owl

Also present in North America, the Great Horned Owl is a large owl with prominent ear tufts and heavily barred brown plumage. It does not have the white plumage or the Arctic habitat of the Snowy Owl.

The Call: Generally Silent

The Snowy Owl is a relatively discreet bird in terms of vocalizations, especially outside the breeding season. It is not known for complex or melodious songs like some other birds.

However, it can emit various calls, including deep, guttural barks, soft whistles, and cackles. Males use deep, repeated hoots to mark their territory and attract a mate. Females and juveniles may emit softer whistles and begging calls when demanding food. During alarm or nest defense, more strident and aggressive sounds can be heard.

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Behavior: The Diurnal Arctic Hunter

The Snowy Owl is a unique predator, particularly in its hunting behavior. Unlike most owls, it is often diurnal, especially during the Arctic summer when the sun does not set. It hunts from a perch, positioning itself on a mound, rock, or slight elevation, carefully scanning its surroundings.

Its diet is highly specialized and heavily dependent on lemming populations, which constitute its primary prey. When lemmings are abundant, Snowy Owls can consume several per day. It also hunts other small mammals such as voles, mice, Arctic hares, and sometimes birds like ptarmigans, ducks, and shorebirds. Its hunting technique is silent and swift, using its powerful talons to capture prey.

Snowy Owl reproduction is closely linked to lemming cycles. During periods of high lemming abundance, pairs may be more numerous, nest earlier, and lay a larger number of eggs. The nest is a simple scrape on the ground, usually on an elevation offering a good panoramic view. The female lays between 3 and 11 eggs (most often 5 to 7), incubated by her alone for 32 to 34 days. The male provides food. Young owls leave the nest before they can fly but remain nearby and are fed by their parents for several weeks.

Habitat and Distribution

The Snowy Owl is a circumpolar species, meaning it is found all around the North Pole, in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Its breeding ground is the open tundra and low coastal areas.

It is perfectly adapted to cold and windy environments, preferring vast open spaces with low vegetation, such as heather, grasses, and mosses. These landscapes offer excellent hunting opportunities and elevated vantage points to survey its territory. It does not require trees for perching or nesting.

While adults may be sedentary in their breeding territories if food is consistent, populations are mostly migratory, moving south in winter, often in response to declining lemming populations. These migratory movements can sometimes take the form of significant "irruptions" to more temperate latitudes, much to the delight of birdwatchers.

Distribution Map

Conservation Status

The Snowy Owl is currently classified as "Vulnerable" (VU) on the IUCN Red List. It was reclassified from "Least Concern" in 2017 following new estimates of its global population indicating a significant decline.

The main threats to the Snowy Owl are complex and often linked to climate change, which directly affects its Arctic habitat and the availability of its primary prey, lemmings. Disruptions in lemming cycles lead to reduced breeding success for the owl.

Other threats include collisions with vehicles, fences, power lines, and wind turbines, particularly during its winter migrations south. Pollution from heavy metals and pesticides in the Arctic can also have a negative impact. Population monitoring and habitat protection efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of this iconic species.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is special about the Snowy Owl's plumage?

The Snowy Owl is known for its dense, predominantly white plumage. Males are almost entirely white, while females and juveniles have brown or black spots and bars. This plumage provides excellent camouflage in the snowy Arctic landscapes.

Does the Snowy Owl hunt at night?

Unlike most owls, the Snowy Owl is often a diurnal hunter, especially during the Arctic summer where there is no night. It is adapted to hunt both day and night, depending on the season and prey availability.

Why does the Snowy Owl sometimes migrate far south?

These massive southward migrations, called 'irruptions', are usually triggered by a shortage of lemmings (its primary prey) in the Arctic. To find food, Snowy Owls are forced to travel longer distances than usual.

What does the Snowy Owl eat?

Its diet is highly specialized, consisting mainly of lemmings. It can also consume other small mammals like voles and Arctic hares, as well as birds, depending on the availability of prey in its Arctic environment.