The snowy owl is the heaviest owl in North America and one of very few birds that breeds on the open Arctic tundra. Unlike most owls, snowy owls are largely diurnal — hunting during the midnight sun of Arctic summer. Their population is closely tied to lemming cycles; in peak lemming years, pairs may raise up to 11 chicks, while in crash years they may not breed at all. Their white plumage — denser than any other owl — provides both camouflage on snow and exceptional insulation.
About the Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
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💡 Fun Facts
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Snowy owls have about 30,000 feathers — far more than most other owl species — providing unparalleled insulation against Arctic cold.
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During good lemming years, a single snowy owl family can consume over 1,600 lemmings in a single breeding season.
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Unlike most owls, snowy owls hunt actively during the day — an adaptation to perpetual Arctic summer daylight.
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Male snowy owls become whiter as they age, while females retain darker barring throughout life.
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Snowy owls sometimes irrupt en masse into southern Canada and the northern US when lemming populations crash — a phenomenon called an 'irruption.'
📍 Where to Find This Animal
Habitat Types:
Arctic Tundra
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