Monday, December 17, 2018
A Bit About Snowy Owls
Snowy Owls are fascinating birds in several ways. First, they are the biggest owls in Ontario, making them one of the biggest owls in the world. The males are nearly all white, which is unusual and striking for a bird, though very suitable for their arctic habitat.
We were very lucky to see one right at the roadside, and watch it sit still for several minutes. Snowy Owls will sit still atop a fencepost or telephone post for hours, scanning the fields for prey - usually mice.
They can swivel their head 270° thanks to extra vertebrae inn their neck, but their eyes don't actually move, unlike ours. small rodents and mammals are their prey. It's no wonder that they visit the area bounded by Chesley, Paisley and Tara, as it's quite open farmland, like their Arctic home.
The Snowy Owls we see in southern Ontario (and the northeast U.S.) are the result of an 'iruption' of owls sending birds south in search of better feeding. If their are too many Lemmings in the Arctic, there's an overpopulation of owls, driving some owls to seek their fortunes elsewhere. If their are too few Lemmings, the owls need to search elsewhere instead.
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Thanks for that info I didn’t know before. We also have lots of farmlands where we live so perhaps, if I’m lucky, I will spot one down here too. I never looked for them before but now I will.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe only owl I have ever seen was a Snowy Owl perched on a post down in the flats at Jane & Eglinton - wide open space like you say. He was huge!
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see one of these creatures....the past two years one has been spotted in our county here in Indiana, and photos on the local news.
ReplyDeleteApparently there was quite an irruption last year, so it's a bit surprising that they're on the move again this year. Please send a few down our way.
ReplyDeleteSilent and so still, and really beautiful.T hat swivel of the head, fascinating to learn about the way the see around. Hope you get to see some more.
ReplyDeleteInteresting info on the Snowy Owl. I will have to keep a sharper eye out for them as well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information about the Snowy Owl. The only bird in the UK that has plumage adapted for snowy conditions is the Ptarmigan of the Highlands of Scotland. Oh, and Snow Buntings that visit our shores in the winter.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information about the Snowy Owls , they look like and amazing bird.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on snowy owls. I hope I'll see one this year myself. :-)
ReplyDelete♥
ReplyDelete...maybe...one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information on this beautiful owl. Knew about the turning of their heads but didn't realize their eyes didn't move.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of owls here in North London. Often sitting on our roof so I can hear but not see. We learned in school that French for owlis hibou. But that’s not the whole story. Quite a lot of owls are called chouette. I have yet to work out why the difference but I’m determined to find out.
ReplyDelete