Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
GrasslandScrapeHuge · 2.0 kg
ID tip
The snowy owl is mostly white. They are purer white than predatory mammals such as polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus). Often when seen in the field, these owls can resemble a pale rock or a lump of snow on the ground. They usually appear to lack ear tufts but very short (and probably vestigial) tufts can be erected in some situations, perhaps most frequently by the female when she is sitting on the nest. The ear tufts measure about 20 to 25 mm (0.79 to 0.98 in) and consist of about 10 small feathers. The snowy owl has bright yellow eyes. Voice: The snowy owl differ in their calls from other Bubo owls, with a much more barking quality to their version of a hooting song. Perhaps as many as 15 different calls by mature snowy owls have been documented. The main vocalization is a monotonous sequence that normally contains 2–6 (but occasionally more), rough notes similar to the rhythm of a barking dog: krooh krooh krooh krooh...
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Snowy Owl
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 6 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Snowy Owl
The map shades 16 countries with regular records, and 9 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Finland, Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Iceland, Czechia, Hungary, Portugal.
About the Snowy Owl
The snowy owl, also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, is a large, white owl of the true owl family. Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. It has a number of unique adaptations to its habitat and lifestyle, which are quite distinct from other extant owls. One of the largest species of owl, it is the only owl with mainly white plumage. Males tend to be a purer white overall while females tend to have more extensive flecks of dark brown. Juvenile male snowy owls have dark markings and may appear similar to females until maturity, at which point they typically turn whiter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Eurasian Eagle-OwlBubo buboThe Eurasian eagle-owl is among the larger birds of prey, smaller than the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), but larger than the snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), despite some overlap in size with both of those species.
Spotted Eagle-OwlBubo africanusThe spotted eagle-owl, also known as the African spotted eagle-owl and the African eagle-owl, is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls.
Cape Eagle-OwlBubo capensisThis is a large owl, though intermediate in size among other large Bubo owls.
Side by side: Great Horned Owl vs Snowy Owl · Eurasian Eagle-Owl vs Snowy Owl · Cape Eagle-Owl vs Snowy Owl
Watch the Snowy Owl on live cams
RETURNS JUNEBrowse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Learn the Snowy Owl in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.