Busting Bibliography

Reid, Mary E. Owls and other birds of prey. Chicago: World Book Inc, 2007

Holt, Denver. National Geographic. Owls built to hunt, October 2007

animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl/?source=A-to-Z

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy-owl

www.ask.com/pets-animals/animals-snowy-owl-s-enemies-ee375040661d6a3#

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/snowy-owl/id

Mayntz, Melissa, birding.about.com/od/Bird-Glossary-E-G/g/Facial-Disk.htm

www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Nyctea_scandiaca/

Glorious Glossary

Plumage = A birds feathers

Talons = The sharp claws of a bird of prey

Raptor = A bird of prey

Habitat = The place and natural conditions in which a plant or an animal lives

Migrate = Move from one region or habitat to another

Prey = An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food

Predator = An animal that naturally preys on another animal

Diurnal = An animal that has a daily cycle

Breeding = To produce offspring

Incubation = The process of incubating eggs

Fledging = Developing wing feathers that are large enough for flight

Skua = Any of the several large brown sea birds of the same order as the gulls

Clutch = All of the eggs produced by a bird at one time or season

Facial Disk = A concave, relatively flat, forward facing arrangement of feathers on a birds face

Owl Pellet = An owl's stomach cannot digest the fur and bones so it throws up an owl pellet

Ear Tufts = Tufts of longer feathers on some owl's heads

Goodbye Guys

This fascinating raptor is surviving well in the wild and
 the population is still doing fine. You may see a Snowy
Owl perched at an airport the next time you travel. Or
you may find one of these amazing raptors in Canada.
If you see one or not the Bubo scandicus, or Snowy Owl
is a fabulous bird.

Prowling Predators

According to studies the Snowy Owl is least concern
which is the lowest level of extinction. They are mostly
not harmed by humans because of their main habitat in
the arctic tundra. This owl is not off the hook though.
It has to deal with other animals such as wolves and
skua in the arctic. A skua is a large penguin eating
bird living in the arctic. Also, even though the
migratory bird act protects this owl as it migrates south,
it still runs into dogs, foxes and other raptors such as the
Red Tailed Hawk.

Breeding Bravely

This owl will breed in it's homeland, the arctic tundra
and also where it migrates to.In it's large
nest dug in the ground the female will lay 3-11
eggs in a clutch. The clutch size depends on the
availability of prey. During harsh times of food shortage
some Snowy Owl pairs may not breed at all so they can
have the scarce prey to themselves and hopefully will
not run out. Also when Snowy Owls are raising their
chicks they are very territorial. They will chase away
large caribou and even wolves! The eggs are in
incubation for 32 days until they hatch. Chicks will
fledge in 14-26 days.

Hungry Hunting

The Snowy Owl is a swift and silent hunter.
During the day it will perch and wait patiently to pinpoint and
identify it's prey. After the prey is identified the owl will silently
and quickly snatch it up with it's talons. They can do this
because of soft plumage on their wings allowing silent flight. It
will use it's sharp curved beak to break the prey's neck and eat it.
When this owl hunts at night it uses it's hearing to pinpoint it's
prey. Also the expanding pupils help with eyesight. This owl
will eat lemmings, all rodents, birds, and fish. Sometimes they
will catch a hare almost as big an themselves! Using their
exceptional hearing they can even locate mice under the snow!

Beautiful Biome

This owl's habitat is in the arctic tundra and it creates a nest by digging
or finding a trench or hole in the ice. The Snowy Owl will
migrate south but not because of cold temperatures. It is because
of food shortage. They will migrate to Canada, northern U.S. and
northern Europe and Asia. Also this is the only owl to live in the
arctic tundra.