Snowy Owl
scientific name
Nyctea scandiaca
size/weight/height
Weight: males ~2.5 -3.5 lbs. " female ~3 - 4.5 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 9 yrs maximum " captivity 14 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 " migrate to Southern Canada & northern US when food scarce ("owl years") " 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