Snowy owl
This is one of two snowy owls that live at Banham Zoo in Norfolk.
The snowy owl has a vast range, its breading area is the Arctic region, but they 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. These owls measure between 20 to 28 in. (52 to 71 cm) in length and they have a wingspan ranging from 49 to 59 in. (125 to 150 cm). The bird weighs between 3.5 to 6.6 lbs. (1.6 to 3 kg).
Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at night, but snowy owls are active during the day, especially in the summertime. They are primarily a hunter of small mammals such as voles and mice and most especially the northerly lemming. Some of their larger mammal prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie dogs, rats and moles. Birds are preyed upon as well and include ptarmigan, ducks, geese, shorebirds, pheasants, grouse, coots, grebes, gulls, songbirds, and even other raptors, including other owl species. Sometimes they will eat beetles, crustaceans and occasionally amphibians and fish. In total more than 200 prey species have been known to be taken by snowy owls. Most of their hunting is done in the 'sit and wait' style. Prey may be captured on the ground or in the air, or fish may be snatched off the surface of bodies of water using their sharp talons.
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. Like all raptors, they are protected from shooting and trapping, and this should protect them in populated areas.
Snowy owls are generally monogamous and often mate for life. The breeding season is usually from May to June. They nest on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. They choose a site with good visibility, such as the top of a mound with ready access to hunting areas and a lack of snow. Depending on the amount of prey available, clutch size ranges from 3 to 11 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. Hatching takes place approximately 5 weeks after laying, and the pure white helpless owlets are cared for by both parents. Owlets begin to leave the nest and crawl around the area 14 to 26 days after hatching and fledge 7 to 8 weeks later. In the wild the owlets can expect to have a lifespan of approximately 9 years. In captivity snowy owls can live up to 35 years.
Snowy owls may face threats from climate change as temperature changes affect both their habitat and prey. Other threats they face are collisions with traffic and power lines and gunshot wounds from illegal shooting.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total snowy owl population size is around 28,000 mature individuals. Snowy owl numbers are decreasing, and their conservation status is rated as 'Vulnerable'.
Snowy owl
This is one of two snowy owls that live at Banham Zoo in Norfolk.
The snowy owl has a vast range, its breading area is the Arctic region, but they 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. These owls measure between 20 to 28 in. (52 to 71 cm) in length and they have a wingspan ranging from 49 to 59 in. (125 to 150 cm). The bird weighs between 3.5 to 6.6 lbs. (1.6 to 3 kg).
Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at night, but snowy owls are active during the day, especially in the summertime. They are primarily a hunter of small mammals such as voles and mice and most especially the northerly lemming. Some of their larger mammal prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie dogs, rats and moles. Birds are preyed upon as well and include ptarmigan, ducks, geese, shorebirds, pheasants, grouse, coots, grebes, gulls, songbirds, and even other raptors, including other owl species. Sometimes they will eat beetles, crustaceans and occasionally amphibians and fish. In total more than 200 prey species have been known to be taken by snowy owls. Most of their hunting is done in the 'sit and wait' style. Prey may be captured on the ground or in the air, or fish may be snatched off the surface of bodies of water using their sharp talons.
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. Like all raptors, they are protected from shooting and trapping, and this should protect them in populated areas.
Snowy owls are generally monogamous and often mate for life. The breeding season is usually from May to June. They nest on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. They choose a site with good visibility, such as the top of a mound with ready access to hunting areas and a lack of snow. Depending on the amount of prey available, clutch size ranges from 3 to 11 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. Hatching takes place approximately 5 weeks after laying, and the pure white helpless owlets are cared for by both parents. Owlets begin to leave the nest and crawl around the area 14 to 26 days after hatching and fledge 7 to 8 weeks later. In the wild the owlets can expect to have a lifespan of approximately 9 years. In captivity snowy owls can live up to 35 years.
Snowy owls may face threats from climate change as temperature changes affect both their habitat and prey. Other threats they face are collisions with traffic and power lines and gunshot wounds from illegal shooting.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total snowy owl population size is around 28,000 mature individuals. Snowy owl numbers are decreasing, and their conservation status is rated as 'Vulnerable'.