Snowy Owl
The magnificent snowy owl is a winter visitor to the U.S. and only occasionally may be seen in Ohio. It is a giant owl and a powerful hunter that generally seizes its prey, mainly the lemming, close to the ground and devours it on the spot.
In Ohio, the snowy owl might be seen perched upon a fencepost, silent and blinking its eyes, and quite remarkably can be approached rather closely. The males are white, while the females have some dark markings.
Snowy owls generally hunt during the day as well as at dusk. Though lemmings are not found in Ohio, these owls also like to prey upon fish found in small streams and rivers. It also watches for muskrats caught in traps. The snowy owl also likes to eat hares and squirrels.
These owls should be appreciated for they are a small representation of Arctic tundra life that is present in the Buckeye State for only a short time.
Photo taken by Mike Williams, December 2, 2000, Clinton County