Snowy Owls Jessica Wu Michelle Lai James Ung Nicole Taha.

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Snowy Owls Snowy Owls Jessica Wu Jessica Wu Michelle Lai Michelle Lai James Ung James Ung Nicole Taha Nicole Taha

Transcript of Snowy Owls Jessica Wu Michelle Lai James Ung Nicole Taha.

Snowy OwlsSnowy Owls

Jessica WuJessica WuMichelle LaiMichelle LaiJames UngJames UngNicole TahaNicole Taha

ClassificationClassificationKingdom is AnimaliaKingdom is Animalia

Phylum is ChordataPhylum is Chordata

Class is AvesClass is Aves

Order is StrigiformesOrder is Strigiformes

Family is StrigidaeFamily is Strigidae

Genus is Bubo and species is B. scandiacusGenus is Bubo and species is B. scandiacus

Behavioral CharacteristicsBehavioral Characteristics Snowy owls’ height is up to 27 inches – one of the Snowy owls’ height is up to 27 inches – one of the

biggest owls.biggest owls. In the summer, they are brownish with dark spots In the summer, they are brownish with dark spots

and stripes. In winter, they are completely white.and stripes. In winter, they are completely white. They have strong wings, and they use them to soar They have strong wings, and they use them to soar

over the Arctic tundra to look for prey, where they over the Arctic tundra to look for prey, where they live.live.

The owls catch and eat birds, fish, and other small The owls catch and eat birds, fish, and other small animals.animals.

Male owls nest in little holes in the ground, while Male owls nest in little holes in the ground, while the females stay with their young.the females stay with their young.

These large owls breed on the tundra, where These large owls breed on the tundra, where females lay a clutch of 3 to 11 eggs.females lay a clutch of 3 to 11 eggs.

Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics

Feet are feathers and have extra thick padsFeet are feathers and have extra thick pads

Adults have almost pure white coloringAdults have almost pure white coloring

Wingspan: 45 to 60 inchesWingspan: 45 to 60 inches

Large round heads, yellow eyes, black beaksLarge round heads, yellow eyes, black beaks

Females have brown spots and barsFemales have brown spots and bars

Females are larger than malesFemales are larger than males

Food SourceFood Source

A snowy owl's preferred meal is lemmings—many A snowy owl's preferred meal is lemmings—many lemmings. lemmings.

An adult may eat more than 1,600 lemmings a year, or An adult may eat more than 1,600 lemmings a year, or three to five every day. three to five every day.

The birds supplement their diet with rabbits, rodents, The birds supplement their diet with rabbits, rodents, birds, and fish.birds, and fish.

Food is good :D

HabitatHabitat These magnificent owls sometimes remain during the These magnificent owls sometimes remain during the

year in their northern breeding grounds, but they are year in their northern breeding grounds, but they are frequent migrants to Canada, the northern United States, frequent migrants to Canada, the northern United States, Europe, and Asia. Europe, and Asia.

Lemmings being available may determine the length of Lemmings being available may determine the length of southern migration, when owls take up summer living on southern migration, when owls take up summer living on open fields, marshes, and beaches. open fields, marshes, and beaches.

Hey!

AdaptationsAdaptations Snowy Owls are adapted to cold and snowy weather.Snowy Owls are adapted to cold and snowy weather. They use fat left over from summer to survive when food They use fat left over from summer to survive when food

is scarce.is scarce. Instead of flying to keep warm, the snowy owl stands as Instead of flying to keep warm, the snowy owl stands as

still as possible.still as possible. They also camouflage in the snow so they can protect They also camouflage in the snow so they can protect

from their predators such as the arctic fox and even from their predators such as the arctic fox and even humans.humans.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, snowy owls are Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, snowy owls are diurnal which means they hunt and are active both day diurnal which means they hunt and are active both day and night. and night.

Snowy owls have keen eyesight and great hearing, Snowy owls have keen eyesight and great hearing, which can help them find prey that is invisible under thick which can help them find prey that is invisible under thick vegetation or snow cover.vegetation or snow cover.

Their average lifespan in the wild is 9.5 years. Their average lifespan in the wild is 9.5 years. The snowy owl is a patient hunter that waits for its prey. The snowy owl is a patient hunter that waits for its prey. Snowy owls have sharp talons that can catch and kill Snowy owls have sharp talons that can catch and kill

their prey.their prey.

CitationsCitations

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl.htmlsnowy-owl.html

http://books.google.com/books.html http://books.google.com/books.html

http://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/snowyowl.htmlhttp://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/snowyowl.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/snowy_owl.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/3500/snowy_owl.html

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