Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758)
SO
SNOOW
7490
Family: Strigiformes > Strigidae
A rare (less than annual) visitor from its Arctic breeding grounds, the Snowy Owl is probably best known to many as 'Hedwig' from the Harry Potter films.
A celebrated pair bred for eight years on the Shetland island of Fetlar until 1976, when the male failed to return; one or two females, though, summered every year until 1993.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Snowy Owl
Identification
Snowy Owl identification is usually straightforward.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Vulnerable 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Shetland, 1812 |
DISTRIBUTION
A former rare breeder, Snowy Owls have not attempted to breed in Britain & Ireland since 2001. During the 2008–11 breeding seasons a non-breeding adult female was reported from various locations on the west coast of Ireland. In Britain non-breeding birds were reported from various sites, including a male that in the Outer Hebrides, and a female summered in the Channel Islands in 2009
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 13 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.4 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | -100% |
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +500% |
SEASONALITY
There are sporadic records of Snowy Owls throughout the year, mostly in northern and montane areas.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Snowy Owl, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: SO | 5-letter code: SNOOW | Euring: 7490 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Comhachag-gheal
Welsh: Tylluan yr Eira
Catalan: duc blanc
Czech: sovice snežní
Danish: Sneugle
Dutch: Sneeuwuil
Estonian: lumekakk
Finnish: tunturipöllö
French: Harfang des neiges
German: Schneeeule
Hungarian: hóbagoly
Icelandic: Snæugla
Irish: Ulchabhán Sneachtúil
Italian: Gufo delle nevi
Latvian: balta puce
Lithuanian: baltoji peleda
Norwegian: Snøugle
Polish: puchacz sniezny
Portuguese: coruja-das-neves
Slovak: belana tundrová
Slovenian: snežna sova
Spanish: Búho nival
Swedish: fjälluggla
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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