snowy owls jessica wu michelle lai james ung nicole taha
TRANSCRIPT
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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