The white owl– a predator native to the polar latitudes, is one of the largest representatives of the tundra. The polar owl belongs to the family of owls. Due to the white color of its plumage, the bird received another name – the white owl.
The White Owl
Appearance and nutrition
The body length of a polar owl can reach up to 65 centimeters, and the bird weighs no more than three kilograms. Males are smaller than females. The plumage of the bird is soft and fluffy, thanks to it it can live in the local climate of the northern latitudes. The round head of an owl with bright yellow eyes is noteworthy.
There may be brown longitudinal stripes on the white plumage of the bird. As a rule, females show off these stripes. In males, they may be completely absent. The owl’s beak and ears are hidden under the feathers. Polar owls are endowed with distinctive hearing and keen eyesight, which helps these individuals to hunt even in the pitch darkness of the polar night.
The main food of white owls is traditionally lemmings. This rodent species is widespread in the range of polar owls. To satisfy hunger, the polar owl needs to eat more than four lemmings per day. In addition to these rodents, birds like to hunt larger mammals. Their best prey are hares, arctic fox cubs or stoats.
The owl does not mind eating other birds, fish and even carrion. The polar owl does not hunt near its habitat, so as not to attract predators to it. Thanks to this, seagulls build their nests next to the bird, as they can feel safe there.
Reproduction
The breeding season of the polar owls is marked by the arrival of spring. It is in the spring that the birds return from their wintering grounds, look for a suitable place and announce their choice with loud cries. If the female responds, the male begins to put on a whole show in front of her: brings prey, shows his wings, makes demonstrative takeoffs and accompanies his chosen one all day.
In the owl’s nest
The resulting couples stay together for an extended period. They participate in the parenting process together. The female begins to lay eggs in early May. As a rule, she is able to lay no more than eight eggs per day. The hatching process lasts up to one month, after which the young begin to hatch from the eggs.
Not all owlets are born at the same time. Quite often, late babies do not survive. After all the cubs are born, the female and the male fly out in search of food. At this time, small polar owls huddle alone in their nests. Owls become capable after a month and a half of life.
Polar owls are active during the day, but they choose to search for prey either early in the morning or late at night. Due to its abilities, the bird is an excellent hunter at any time of the day. When there is insufficient food, polar owls fly closer to populated areas.
Lifestyle
They roam, as a rule, from September, and return from the beginning of October. Many birds stay in their places, provided they have enough food. Some individuals may lead a solitary lifestyle without entering into pairs.
Arctic foxes are the main enemies of polar owls in the tundra. In search of easy prey, arctic foxes often steal small owls from the nest. In addition to arctic foxes, white owls should be wary of foxes, who also do not mind eating their immature chicks.
When a person approaches their territory, polar owls emit loud, frightening cries. Sometimes, when danger strikes, they hover over their potential enemy to assess further actions. When attacking a nest directly, the males engage in combat with the destroyer, making loud noises similar to the cawing of a crow.
The polar owl can be found in the northern latitudes of both hemispheres. Individuals of polar owls are widespread in the Arctic Ocean. In particular, they live on Wrangel Island, in New Zealand, Greenland and Svalbard.
Polar owls prefer to inhabit large open areas and small mountain hills. As a rule, they avoid wooded areas, sticking to the tundra and forest tundra. This is due to the fact that it is much more difficult for owls to find prey in remote forests.
