Snowy owl
Limi the female snowy owl hatched on 27th. June 2019 and arrived at the Fritton Owl Sanctuary on 31st. July 2019. In captivity snowy owls can live up to 35 years but in the wild their lifespan is approximately 9 years.
The snowy owl has a vast range, it's breading area is the Arctic region but they do migrate to Canada, the northern United States, Europe and Asia.
The males have upper parts that are plain white, with a few dusky spots at the tips of the primary and secondary feathers. The tail is mainly white with some faint terminal bars. Females have more brown barring on the crown and upper parts. The under parts are white with brown spotting and barring.
The snowy owl is a very large owl. They are the largest avian predator of the High Arctic and one of the largest owls in the world. Snowy owls measure in length between 20 to 28 in. (52 to 71 cm), with their wingspan ranging from 49 to 59 in. (125 to 150 cm). They weigh between 3.5 to 6.6 lbs. (1.6 to 3 kg).
The snowy owl is primarily a hunter of mammals, most especially the northerly lemmings. Birds are commonly taken as well, and may regularly include passerines, northern seabirds, ptarmigan and ducks, among others. Sometimes they will eat beetles, crustaceans and occasionally amphibians and fish. All told, more than 200 prey species have been known to be taken by snowy owls.
Snowy owls have few predators. The adults are watchful and equipped to defend themselves, their offspring and nest against Arctic foxes, dogs, grey wolves and avian predators.
They nest in remote areas and have huge territories and in winter are unpredictable and widespread so it's difficult to predict their population size. Like all raptors, they are protected from shooting and trapping and this should protect them in populated areas. Their breeding grounds are remote and away from human habitation so in reality they have little contact with humans. Snowy owls may face threats from climate change as temperature changes affect both their habitat and prey. Other threats they face are traffic collisions, power lines and gunshot wounds from illegal shooting. The conservation status of the snowy owl is Vulnerable.
Snowy owl
Limi the female snowy owl hatched on 27th. June 2019 and arrived at the Fritton Owl Sanctuary on 31st. July 2019. In captivity snowy owls can live up to 35 years but in the wild their lifespan is approximately 9 years.
The snowy owl has a vast range, it's breading area is the Arctic region but they do migrate to Canada, the northern United States, Europe and Asia.
The males have upper parts that are plain white, with a few dusky spots at the tips of the primary and secondary feathers. The tail is mainly white with some faint terminal bars. Females have more brown barring on the crown and upper parts. The under parts are white with brown spotting and barring.
The snowy owl is a very large owl. They are the largest avian predator of the High Arctic and one of the largest owls in the world. Snowy owls measure in length between 20 to 28 in. (52 to 71 cm), with their wingspan ranging from 49 to 59 in. (125 to 150 cm). They weigh between 3.5 to 6.6 lbs. (1.6 to 3 kg).
The snowy owl is primarily a hunter of mammals, most especially the northerly lemmings. Birds are commonly taken as well, and may regularly include passerines, northern seabirds, ptarmigan and ducks, among others. Sometimes they will eat beetles, crustaceans and occasionally amphibians and fish. All told, more than 200 prey species have been known to be taken by snowy owls.
Snowy owls have few predators. The adults are watchful and equipped to defend themselves, their offspring and nest against Arctic foxes, dogs, grey wolves and avian predators.
They nest in remote areas and have huge territories and in winter are unpredictable and widespread so it's difficult to predict their population size. Like all raptors, they are protected from shooting and trapping and this should protect them in populated areas. Their breeding grounds are remote and away from human habitation so in reality they have little contact with humans. Snowy owls may face threats from climate change as temperature changes affect both their habitat and prey. Other threats they face are traffic collisions, power lines and gunshot wounds from illegal shooting. The conservation status of the snowy owl is Vulnerable.