Snowy Owls

One of the most prized species for birders in Indiana to find is the Snowy Owl. This bird is elusive to many in the United States but can be found abundantly in its breeding grounds within the Arctic Circle. The Snowy Owl occasionally migrates far enough south in the winter to be seen in Northern Midwest states- including here in the Indiana Dunes. The Snowy Owl has even been seen as far south as Southern California! These owls capture the interests of people across the country because of their unique features and rare visits.

The Snowy Owl is the only species of owl that has mostly white plumage. This coloration lets the bird blend into its surroundings of white snow in the Arctic. It uses this camouflage to help protect it from predators such as foxes and wolves. If they were a brown color like most other owls, they would stick out to their predators in the arctic snow.

This magnificent bird has multiple adaptations that help it survive the cold arctic winters, where temperatures often reach -4°F (-20°C). Eating lots of food is important to maintaining a high metabolism and keeping their bodies warm. An adult Snowy Owl can weigh up to 4.5 pounds (which is surprisingly heavy for a bird) and can eat over a pound of food each day. Can you imagine a human eating one-quarter of its weight in a single day?? Their diet consists mostly of lemmings during the summer months, but if food is sparse they may also eat ducks, fish, and whatever small animals that they can find. Snowy Owls also have particularly long, thick contour feathers- surface feathers that cover the majority of the tail, wing, and body of birds- to protect them from the wind. 

Snowy Owls are one of the most unique birds that we can find in Northern Indiana. So the next time that you are outside in the winter, make sure to look out for these elusive birds!

Alex Butina

1st Year Environmental Educator