White owls are representatives of the family of owls, which have a characteristic snow-white color of plumage. It is possible to intersperse dark brown spots that form several rows of transverse lines. By the number and brightness of these marks, one can judge the age and sex of the bird: the older the individual, the fewer spots and, therefore, a more even white color.
The habitat in which white owls are traditionally found is represented by the territory of the polar and temperate zones: the tundra of North America and Eurasia. In addition, it also includes large islands located in the Arctic Ocean, such as Novaya Zemlya, Greenland, Severnaya Zemlya, Wrangel Island, as well as the Novosibirsk Islands. You can meet this beautiful predator in Svalbard and Alaska.
A white owl is a large bird with a wingspan of up to one and a half meters. Oddly enough, females are significantly larger than males both in weight and in size. In addition, the distinguishing feature is the fact that females have more speckled feathers.
Hatched chicks have a brown color, which, as already mentioned, with age changes to snow-white plumage. The beak of all birds is black and almost to the tip is covered with small hard feathers. The clawed legs are also covered with a significant layer of plumage. In appearance, it resembles wool and forms the so-called "cosmas".
White owls nest on the hills, with preference being given to dry soil and hills. Construction can begin even before the snow melts, so the choice of location is of great importance. The nest itself is a hole in the ground where owl parents bring down, plant rags and rodent skins. Nevertheless, the territories protected from predators have an area of up to 6 square meters. km Traditionally, these birds stick to the old nesting places and change it only if they are forced by the conditions of existence.
In the choice of a mating partner, white owls are unstable: in some areas stable pairs are observed for several years, while in other areas, owls “converge” for only one year.
The average life expectancy of this bird of prey in the wild is about 9 years. Nevertheless, under conditions of artificial keeping, this value can reach 30. Skuas, as well as foxes and arctic foxes, which pose a significant threat to laid eggs, hatched chicks, and young birds, are considered natural enemies of polar owls.
White owls prey on mouse-like rodents, such as lemmings, as well as rodents, hares, small predators and birds. Do not disdain fish and carrion. Winged predators play an important role in the formation of tundra ecosystems, as they are regulators of the rodent population.
White owl is found in many aspects of the culture of the countries of the temperate and polar zones. For example, it is the official symbol of the Canadian province of Quebec, and is also depicted on the coat of arms of Kayerkan. A polar owl is listed in the Red Book and is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention. Look at the photos: the white owl in flight looks luxurious and majestic.
