NigelJE
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Best viewed large.
A young female found South of Ottawa, Ontario. Thank you Chris!
[naturephotographyblog.squarespace.com/snowy-owl-workshop-...]
This rare bird is typically found in the northern circumpolar region, where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60° north. Snowy owls nest in the Arctic tundra of the northernmost stretches of Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. They winter south through Canada and northern Eurasia, with irruptions occurring further south in some years. It was particularly scarce this year.
Until recently, the snowy owl was regarded as the sole member of a distinct genus, as Nyctea scandiaca, but mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data showed that it is very closely related to the horned owls in the genus Bubo. However, some authorities debate this classification, still preferring Nyctea.
This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other small rodents for food during the breeding season.
Wikipedia.
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Best viewed large.
A young female found South of Ottawa, Ontario. Thank you Chris!
[naturephotographyblog.squarespace.com/snowy-owl-workshop-...]
This rare bird is typically found in the northern circumpolar region, where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60° north. Snowy owls nest in the Arctic tundra of the northernmost stretches of Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. They winter south through Canada and northern Eurasia, with irruptions occurring further south in some years. It was particularly scarce this year.
Until recently, the snowy owl was regarded as the sole member of a distinct genus, as Nyctea scandiaca, but mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data showed that it is very closely related to the horned owls in the genus Bubo. However, some authorities debate this classification, still preferring Nyctea.
This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other small rodents for food during the breeding season.
Wikipedia.