Amazing Adaptations

This large owl is the Bubo scandiacus or Snowy Owl. Like
all raptors this owl has a sharp curved beak and sharp talons.
Unlike some other owls it does not have ear tufts or plumage
sticking up on both sides of it's head. The Snowy Owl can
grow to be 20 to 28 inches tall and can have a wingspan of 
4.2 to 4.8 feet. This owl has white plumage or feathers with
specks of a lighter black. Young Snowy Owls and females
have more black spots but elder males can be pure white.
Also the Snowy Owl has amazing sense of sight and
hearing. The Snowy Owl's facial disk is barely visible
because of the shape and size of it's head and body. All owls
have an extra vertebra in their neck so their heads can turn
270 degrees around and upside down. Also an owl's bones
are filled with air to help them fly silently to catch prey
without scaring it away. During both day and night a Snowy
Owl can see better and farther than humans because of all
the adaptations owls have. All owls have facial disks. These
are forward facing feathers on a birds face to direct sound to
the ears. Another fact is Snowy Owls can weigh 3.5 to 6.5
pounds. Also unlike other owls the Snowy Owl is diurnal
which means to be active mostly during the day and 
sometimes at night. To stay alive and healthy in the cold
they have thick feathers and extra body fat to keep warm.