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

Alaska Tundra

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