Boreal Owl vs Snowy Owl
Aegolius funereus compared with Bubo scandiacus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Boreal Owl | Snowy Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegolius funereus | Bubo scandiacus |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 33.8 cm (13.3 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 137.75 g (4.86 oz) | 2100.0 g (74.08 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Primarily lemmings on the breeding grounds, where a pair may consume over 1,500 per year. … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 3-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Snowy Owl
Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.
Song & Call Comparison
Boreal Owl
Snowy Owl
Male gives a deep booming hoot 'hooooo' and a rising 'hoo-hoo' series. Also barks sharply when alarmed. Quieter than many owls; silent during long Arctic winter hunts.
Geographic Range & Migration
Boreal Owl
Snowy Owl
Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation Status
Boreal Owl
Snowy Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Boreal Owl
Snowy Owl
Adult males are almost entirely white. Females and immatures have dark brown barring and spotting. Yellow eyes and fully feathered feet.
Dark hooked bill mostly hidden by dense facial feathering
About These Birds
Boreal Owl
The Boreal Owl (<em>Aegolius funereus</em>) is a small owl belonging to the family Strigidae (True Owls). It inhabits forest environments, where it relies on dense coniferous and mixed woodland cover for shelter and foraging. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. The Boreal Owl nests in cavities (nest type CV), making use of natural tree hollows or abandoned woodpecker holes. Incubation lasts approximately 29 days, and fledging occurs between 28 and 36 days …
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and one of the most charismatic Arctic birds. Unlike most owls, it is largely diurnal, necessitated by the continuous daylight of Arctic summers. Snowy owl irruptions — periodic mass southward movements — are tied to lemming population cycles.