Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiaca)
This large owl is actually an arctic eagle owl, and as the name implies, it is more at home in colder regions of the world. Although it can still be found in small numbers in northern Britain, the last recorded breeding snowy owls were a pair on Fetlar, in the Shetlands that bred for the last time in the early seventies.
Estimated breeding population (2009): 0 prs – single birds only
Size: 55 - 66cm
Wingspan:45 – 60cm
Habitat: Arctic tundra
Nesting: Lays egg in a scrape on the ground.
Prey: Mainly mammals, especially lemmings, hares, rabbits etc where available, plus birds up to the size of ducks.
Conservation issues: Globally this species is not threatened, but with warming temperatures, UK sightings may decline in the years to come.
