The Snowy Owl
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Description
Range and Habitat
During breeding season the Snowy Owl resides in the northern regions of Alaska and Canada. In the winter they can be found in the northern United States. They have been spotted as far south as Florida, California, and Texas.The Snowy Owl prefers the arctic tundra or open grasslands and fields. They rarely venture into forested areas, even in their southward trek.
Welcome to my world.
Snowy Owls
Mating and Nesting
Courtship can begin as early as March. To attract and impress a female, the male will fly in undulating patterns whenever females are around. Once he lands, he will fluff his feathers, spread his wings, and strut around. He will even make a kill and offer it to the female.Once mating occurs, the Snowy Owls make a nest on the ground. They build a scrape on top of a mound or boulder with good visibility and easy access to hunting areas. Breeding usually occurs in May. The clutch size varies depending on the availability of prey. It can range 3 and 14 eggs. The incubation period varies but is approximately 5 weeks in length. The owlets are protected and cared for by both parents.
Diet
The Snowy Owl is a carnivore. It feeds on a variety of mammals from mice to rabbits. They will prey on small songbirds, geese, and lemmings as well.Unlike most owls, the Snowy Owl hunts during daylight hours. They are patient hunters and will sit and wait for prey to wander into striking range. Spotting prey on the ground or in the air, the Snowy Owl will swoop down and sink its talons into its prey and breaks its neck with its beak.
It is not uncommon for a nesting Snowy Owl to eat 2 lemmings a day. A family of Snowy Owls can consume up to 1,500 lemmings before the young strike out on their own.
Snowy Owls
Voice
The Snowy Owl has several calls. Their alarm call is krek-krek-krek-krek or a pyee-pyee-pyee. They also clap their beaks when annoyed. Interesting Trivia
2. The Snowy Owl is frequently referred to as the Arctic Owl or the Great White Owl.
3. It is a daytime hunter.
4. The Snowy Owl is a nomadic bird. Their movements are tied to the abundance of prey.
5. Hedwig, Harry Potter's owl was a Snowy Owl. In the story Hedwig was a female but in the movie her part was played by a male.
In Flight
Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
Some of My Favorite Owls
Little Brothers
The Barred Owl
The Common Barn Owl
The Eastern Screech-owl
Big Brothers
The Great Grey Owl
The Great Horned Owl
The Snowy Owl
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 07/11/2009)
Most birders are fascinated with Birds of Prey but identifying can be difficult for the beginner. Hawks & Owls is an excellent introductory guide.
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
Tipi wrote...
Lizzy, this a wonderful Snowy Owl lens! - I love visiting your lenses because they are so informative about the different breeds. I just love anything about animals and nature it seems. Real a beautiful bird, and I've had the good fortune of seeing many of them. I seen one pick up a kitten out of our yard once, wasn't anything I could do to stop it as a youngster.
Posted February 21, 2009
Shelly wrote
Just noticed you in one of Tipi's guest books and flew on over right behind you. Also visited Ms Betty Boop, we have a few of her images around the house. First I was at your Peregrin Falcon lens. Once I heard a naturalist say, "other birds just flap, Peregins fly", some things one never forgets as that was way back when Tipi and I lived with our parents, just after the last ice age. Couldn't leave messages on the other lenses, alas, because they just aren't open to non-members.
Posted January 24, 2009
mukunda22 wrote...
The snowy owl came flying at me one time soon after my mother died. My brother and I happened to be talking about her on the phone at the time of the incident.
Another time, I was thinking of her and a bird book fell off the shelf and opened to the Snowy White Owl.
That got my attention!!
Posted January 16, 2009
AndyPo wrote...
Another lovely lens. What a beautiful bird. I have very few photos of owls, but I just found one from one of my trips to Southern Africa which I have added to my "SafariInBotswana" lens (I'm not sure what variety it is so maybe you can help?)
Posted January 14, 2009
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,689 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 169 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Raptor's Almanac
The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)
Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.
Resources used to construct this page.
Lynch, W. 2007. Owls of the United States and Canada. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Snowy Owl, Owling.com
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Snowy Owls, University of Minnesota Raptor Center
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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