Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a magnificent Arctic specialist and the heaviest owl species found in Britain, renowned for its brilliant white plumage and striking golden eyes. Unlike most owls, it is active by day, especially during the continuous daylight of the Arctic summer, and nests right on the ground in a shallow scrape on an elevated tundra mound. Males become almost pure white as they mature, while females and young birds retain dark brown barring — the sexes are so different they were once thought to be separate species. Their thick, dense feathers even cover their legs and toes, acting like a built-in down suit that allows them to survive temperatures as low as -50°C. Their breeding success depends heavily on lemming populations, and in winters when food is scarce, they may travel far south in spectacular movements known as irruptions, occasionally turning up in the UK to the delight of birdwatchers.