White owls are rare and beautiful predators

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

White owls are representatives of the owl family, which have a characteristic snow-white plumage color. Perhaps interspersed with dark brown spots that form several rows of transverse lines. By the number and brightness of these marks, one can judge the age and gender of the bird: the older the individual, the fewer spots and, accordingly, the more even the white color.

The habitat in which snowy owls are traditionally found is represented by the territory of the polar and temperate zones: the tundra of North America and Eurasia. In addition, this also includes large islands located in the Arctic Ocean, such as Novaya Zemlya, Greenland, Severnaya Zemlya, Wrangel Island, and the New Siberian Islands. You can meet this beautiful predator in Svalbard and Alaska.

The white owl is a large bird with a wingspan of up to one and a half meters. Oddly enough, females are significantly larger than males in both weight and size. In addition, the fact that females have more streaks on feathers can be considered a distinctive feature.

Hatched chicks havebrown color, which, as mentioned earlier, changes to snow-white plumage with age. The beak of all birds is black and almost to the very tip is covered with small hard feathers. The clawed feet are also covered with a significant layer of plumage. In appearance, it resembles wool and forms the so-called "hairs".

Snowy owls nest in higher elevations, with preference given to dry ground and hills. Construction can begin even before the snow melts, so site selection is of the utmost importance. The nest itself is a hole in the ground, where parent owls bring down, plant rags and rodent skins. Nevertheless, protected areas from predators have an area of up to 6 square meters. km. Traditionally, these birds stick to their old nesting sites and only change if conditions dictate.

White owls are fickle in their choice of mating partner: in some areas stable pairs are observed for several years, while in other areas owls "converge" for only one year.

The average lifespan of this bird of prey in the wild is about 9 years. However, under artificial conditions this value can reach 30. Skuas are considered natural enemies of snowy owls, as well as foxes and arctic foxes, which pose a significant threat to laid eggs, hatchlings and young birds.

Snowy owls prey on mouse-like rodents such as lemmings, as well as pikas, hares, smallpredators and birds. Do not disdain fish and carrion. Winged predators play an important role in the formation of tundra ecosystems, as they are rodent population regulators.

The snowy owl is found in many aspects of temperate and polar cultures. So, for example, it is the official symbol of the Canadian province of Quebec, and is also applied to the coat of arms of Kayerkan. The polar owl is listed in the Red Book and included in Appendix II of the CITES Convention. Look at the presented photos: the snowy owl in flight looks luxurious and majestic.