Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), [4] also known as the polar owl, the white owl and the Arctic owl, [5] is a large, white owl of the true owl family. [6] Snowy owls are native to the Arctic regions of both North America and the Palearctic, breeding mostly on the tundra. [2]
Experts estimate the entire population is less than 30,000 in North America — and only a fraction of those migrate a long distance in a given year — making the owl’s cameo all the more unusual.
Snowy owls spend the summer breeding season on the tundra north of the Arctic circle. Come winter, some move south into southern Canada and the northern United States, including Wisconsin.
A common pattern in North America is clockwise migration, where birds flying North tend to be further West, and flying South tend to shift Eastwards. Many, if not most, birds migrate in flocks. For larger birds, flying in flocks reduces the energy cost. Geese in a V formation may conserve 12–20% of the energy they would need to fly alone.
[3] [4] Barred owls are largely native to eastern North America, but have expanded their range to the west coast of North America where they are considered invasive. [1] [5] [6] Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they can also acclimatise to various gradients of open woodlands. [7]
Four snowy owls have been documented in Wisconsin as of mid-November, the first of the species to be seen in the state.
Although some species such as snowy owls, northern saw-whet owls, long-eared and short-eared owls are true migrants, most North American owls are not migratory and will generally show fidelity to a single territory year around. [6] In great horned owls, mated pairs occupy territories year-round and long-term.
Nearly 1,000 casualties highlight need to dim city lights. Meanwhile, here are chances to safely view migratory birds.