Tundra beluga/snowy owl
Bubo scandiacus
Harry
Snowy owl
Harry is a calm male with no problems. Unfortunately, he lost his previous female Hedviga.
At the moment, his enclosure is divided into two parts and we are introducing Harry to new owls.
Their hatching dates are: 3. 7. 2023, 30. 6. 2023.
Snowy owl sponsorship in Malkia Park:
We care about nature, and so that the lives of snowy owls like Harry prosper, the ČSOB Foundation decided to financially support their care and health protection.
Simona Šípová, administrator of the ČSOB Foundation
The male is almost pure white. The female has transverse spots on her body and is about one-fifth the size of the male. Its white, dark-spotted feathers protect it well in the tundra with remnants of snow and between rocks when it nests on the ground.
The plumage of both sexes is very dense and harder than that of other owls. Among other things, it also provides them with a noiseless flight.
Beak and claws are hidden in thick feathers. The iris of the eyes is bright yellow. Owls cannot move their eyes, but they can turn their heads almost around their own axis. The ear openings are asymmetrical (one ear higher, the other lower) which helps them accurately locate moving prey.
The male draws attention to himself at the time of reproduction by running and singing in an elevated place. In the thin African air, the song carries for several kilometers. Females, just like males, also occupy and fight for their territory. These owls nest in the unforested tundra, both on the plains and in the mountains. The flow starts in early April and the nest is just a shallow hole in the ground, usually on a slight rise. Eggs are laid at intervals – it is more likely that at least the oldest and largest chick will survive. Cubs often kill and eat their younger and weaker siblings. At the age of 60 days, the cubs are fully independent.
Eskimos eat snowy owl meat when they have no other choice.
Na Shetlandských ostrovoch dostala sova snežná označenie “catogle”, pretože pripomína veľkú bielu mačku.
If an enemy, such as a wolf or a fox, approaches the nest, this owl will attack it with its claws. Often one of the parents also dies while defending the eggs or young.
It is a semi-migratory bird migrating for food. If there is a shortage of lemmings, it moves south.
Tundra beluga/snowy owl
Bubo scandiacus
Harry
Snowy owl
Date of hatching
06. 05. 2014
Order
Family
BODY LENGTH
55-66 cm
Weight
2 kg
LIFE EXPECTANCY
15 years, in captivity also 28
WINGSSPAN
145-165 cm
INCUBATION PERIOD
32-34 days
NUMBER OF EGGS
3-11 glossy white eggs
CARE OF THE YOUNG
about 25 days
Occurrence
coastal tundra of North America, Europe and Asia
Food
mainly lemmings, other small mammals, rarely smaller birds
Harry
Harry is a calm male with no problems. Unfortunately, he lost his previous female Hedviga.
At the moment, his enclosure is divided into two parts and we are introducing Harry to new owls.
Their hatching dates are: 3. 7. 2023, 30. 6. 2023.
Snowy owl sponsorship in Malkia Park:
We care about nature, and so that the lives of snowy owls like Harry prosper, the ČSOB Foundation decided to financially support their care and health protection.
Simona Šípová, administrator of the ČSOB Foundation
The male is almost pure white. The female has transverse spots on her body and is about one-fifth the size of the male. Its white, dark-spotted feathers protect it well in the tundra with remnants of snow and between rocks when it nests on the ground.
The plumage of both sexes is very dense and harder than that of other owls. Among other things, it also provides them with a noiseless flight.
Beak and claws are hidden in thick feathers. The iris of the eyes is bright yellow. Owls cannot move their eyes, but they can turn their heads almost around their own axis. The ear openings are asymmetrical (one ear higher, the other lower) which helps them accurately locate moving prey.
The male draws attention to himself at the time of reproduction by running and singing in an elevated place. In the thin African air, the song carries for several kilometers. Females, just like males, also occupy and fight for their territory. These owls nest in the unforested tundra, both on the plains and in the mountains. The flow starts in early April and the nest is just a shallow hole in the ground, usually on a slight rise. Eggs are laid at intervals – it is more likely that at least the oldest and largest chick will survive. Cubs often kill and eat their younger and weaker siblings. At the age of 60 days, the cubs are fully independent.
Eskimos eat snowy owl meat when they have no other choice.
Na Shetlandských ostrovoch dostala sova snežná označenie “catogle”, pretože pripomína veľkú bielu mačku.
If an enemy, such as a wolf or a fox, approaches the nest, this owl will attack it with its claws. Often one of the parents also dies while defending the eggs or young.
It is a semi-migratory bird migrating for food. If there is a shortage of lemmings, it moves south.
