Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus ) Photo Gallery by lejun at pbase.com

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus )

A large, powerful owl of the high Arctic tundra, colored for camouflage during northern winters.
In summer it may be nomadic, concentrating and nesting where there are high populations of the small rodents called lemmings.
At other times it takes a wide variety of prey, including birds as big as geese.
During some winters, large numbers of Snowy Owls appear south of the Canadian border;
those that stop in towns and cities invariably cause a stir and attract media attention

Historically, this species was one of the most persecuted owls in North America
thousands of owls were shot for taxidermy, and adults and eggs were hunted for food (Holt et al. 2020)
. Harvesting of the species for food, feathers and claws by native peoples still occurs but has decreased significantly
therefore while it may have a local impact on populations, it is unlikely to have any wider effect on total numbers
In some areas, nesting habitat may be degraded as a result of urban development (Holt et al. 2009).
Snowy Owls getting caught in traps set for foxes may be a significant threat in some areas (Ellis & Smith 1993,
cited in Holt et al. 2020), as may secondary poisoning by Warfarin bait set for rats (Campbell & Preston 2009, cited in Holt et al. 2020).
Electrocution, aeroplane strikes, collision with vehicles and entanglement in fishing equipment
have all been identified as sources of mortality in Alberta, Canada (Holt et al. 2017)
Climate change is likely to have a significant impact on the species,
as changes in the onset of spring and snowmelt in the breeding areas are likely to
affect prey populations (International Snowy Owl Working Group 2010).

Snowy Owl in Full Flight
Snowy Owl on Rock
Snowy Owl in Flight (head toward camera)
Snowy Owl Sitting Frontal
Snowy Owl in Flight
Snowy Owl in Flight Lateral

Snowy Owl with Beak Open
Snowy with Beak Open

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Snowy Owl in Full Flight	Snowy Owl on Rock	Snowy Owl in Flight (head toward camera)	Snowy Owl Sitting Frontal	Snowy Owl in Flight	Snowy Owl in Flight Lateral
Snowy Owl with Beak Open	Snowy with Beak Open

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