Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is in the Typical Owls family (Strigidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,125 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

Conservation status (iNaturalist): VU.

When to photograph Snowy Owl: observations by month (U.S.)

About Snowy Owl

The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large, white owl of the typical owl family. Snowy owls are native to Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia. Males are almost all white, while females have more flecks of black plumage. Juvenile snowy owls have black feathers until they turn white. The snowy owl is a ground nester that primarily hunts rodents and waterfowl, and opportunistically eats carrion. Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Snowy Owl by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Typical Owls)

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

Barred OwlStrix varia

Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus

Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Long-eared OwlAsio otus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ