snowy owl

a diurnal, arctic and subarctic owl, Nyctea scandiaca, having white plumage with dark brown markings.

[1775-85]

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White or barred brown-and-white typical owl (Nyctea scandiaca, family Strigidae) of the Arctic tundra, sometimes found in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Snowy owls are about 2 ft (60 cm) long and have broad wings and a round head without ear tufts. They are diurnal and eat small mammals, such as hares and lemmings, and birds. They nest on the ground in the open.

Snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca)

W. Suschitzky

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▪ bird

 (Nyctea scandiaca), a white or barred, brown-and-white bird of prey of the family Strigidae (order Strigiformes). It inhabits the Arctic tundra and sometimes wanders southward in Europe, Asia, and North America. Snowy owls are about 60 centimetres (about 2 feet) long and have broad wings and a round head without ear tufts. They eat small mammals (such as hares and lemmings) and birds and nest on the ground in the open.

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