Snowy Owl (Bubo Scandiacus)

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Photo by Wayne Comerford

Adopted as Quebec's official bird - 1987

The heavy-bodied Snowy Owl breeds on Arctic tundra and winters on grasslands, coastal beaches and dunes, and marshes.

It is Canada's only all-white owl.

They are found across Canada including the Arctic, and also in Alaska.   They often perch on the ground or on posts, rocks, dunes, ice, hay bales, or buildings.

They prey chiefly on lemmings and other small mammals, hunting both by day and night.   Their winter diet can includes both mammals and many birds, including waterfowl.

Their population is fairly common the the breeding ground, but rare to casual south of the breeding range.   Population is stable because of the remoteness  from human disturbance.

When lemming populations falter, 'Snowies'  may move south in winter as far south as Oklahoma across to Virginia, and even as far south as Gulf Coast states.
No issues are reported regarding conservation, but many of these birds are killed when wintering south of their normal range.

The song of the 'Snowie' can be piercing whistle or bold growling bark ('know-ow'), which can carry for more than a mile.

I, for one, find this big white bird spectacular when on the wing.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder