Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a member of the typical owl family Strigidae. It is a large owl, and is among one of the largest owls of the North American continent.

Other names
Other names for the Snowy Owl include Snow Owl, Great White Owl, White Terror of the North, Ermine Owl, Ookpik and Scandinavian Nightbird.

Similar species
The subarctic subspecies of the Great Horned Owl is very pale and almost white, however; it has ear tufts; Western Barn Owl is whitish on underparts only and has dark eyes; white-phase Gyrfalcons are slimmer, with longer tail and more pointed wings.

Diet
In Alaska, it is especially associated as the predator of mice and lemmings, its main foods. The Snowy Owl also takes ptarmigans, grebes, small gulls, murres, puffins, razorbills, dovekies, ducks, young geese, coots, sandpipers, crows, and where water is unfrozen, wades in and catches, with it's talons, fish and other small marine animals.

Calls
Both sexes, particularly the males, will make low, slightly rasping, powerful hoots. They often come two at a time but may include up to six in sequence. When they are agitated, Snowy Owls will snap their bills to make a clacking sound.

Distribution/habitat
Nests commonly in open tundras, and spends its winters in open fields or marshes. The Snowy Owl is distributed throughout the more northern regions of North America through Canada and the United States.