Snowy Owl

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The Species

Snowy Owl (scientific name: Bubo scandiacus) is a large bird species of the Arctic, and has a conservation status of Vulnerable.

The male is white in color and gets whiter as it ages, while the female is darker or mottled white. Usually found in the northern circumpolar region (Alaska, Canada, Greenland, northern Europe and Asia), this nomadic bird of prey has an average lifespan of 10 years. It has an impressive build, keen eyesight and remarkable hearing. It likes to eat lemmings—an adult may eat as many as 1,600 lemmings a year. It inhabits the open tundra and is a ground-nester, migrating based on food availability.

Role in Ecology

Owls are carnivorous and help maintain populations of rodents and lemmings. Snowy Owl and lemming cycles are intertwined and serve as indicators of Arctic ecosystem health.

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity (or Biological Diversity) describes the variety of life on Earth—across species, within species, and across ecosystems. It’s vital for ecosystem balance. Current estimates suggest there are about 8.7 million species on the planet.