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Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl
Taxonomy
The snowy owl was one of the many bird species originally described by Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th
edition of his Systema Naturae, where it was given the
binomial name of Strix scandiaca.[2] Until recently, it
was regarded as the sole member of a distinct genus, as
Nyctea scandiaca, but mtDNA cytochrome b sequence
data (Olsen et al. 2002) shows that it is very closely related to the horned owls in the genus Bubo. However,
some authorities debate this classication, still preferring
Nyctea.[3]
Description
This yellow-eyed, black-beaked white bird is easily recognizable. It is 5271 cm (2028 in) long, with a 125
150 cm (4959 in) wingspan. Also, these owls can weigh
anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb).[4] It is one of
the largest species of owl and, in North America, is on
average the heaviest owl species. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some
dark spots; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily
feathered taloned feet, and colouration render the snowy
owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.
Plate 121 of the Birds of America by John James Audubon, depicting the snowy owl
Snowy owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking,
almost quacking krek-krek; the female also has a softer
mewling pyee-pyee or prek-prek. The song is a deep repeated gahw. They may also clap their beak in response
to threats or annoyances. While called clapping, it is believed this sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue,
not the beak.
Range
3
Biologists frequently examine these pellets to determine
the quantity and types of prey the birds have eaten. When
large prey are eaten in small pieces, pellets will not be
produced.[15]
Natural threats
Re-
References