Female snowy owl

Snowy owl during flight

Bubo scandiacus

The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is an owl native to the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. They hunt rodents.

Lemmings are a favourite prey. They will also hunt fish and small mammals

The male's mating call sounds like krek-krek, while the female's mating call sounds like pyee-pyee or prek-prek.

In the novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (USA edition: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), Harry is assigned a female snowy owl as his animal companion. Her name is Hedwig. view more...