Arabian Scops-owl vs Snowy Owl
Otus pamelae compared with Bubo scandiacus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arabian Scops-owl | Snowy Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Otus pamelae | Bubo scandiacus |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 24.6 cm (9.7 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 66.5 g (2.35 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 | -- | 3-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Arabian Scops-owl only
Snowy Owl only
Snowy Owl
Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.
Song & Call Comparison
Arabian Scops-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
Arabian Scops-owl
Snowy Owl
Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation Status
Arabian Scops-owl
Snowy Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Arabian Scops-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
Arabian Scops-owl
The Arabian Scops-owl is a small nocturnal owl from the Arabian Peninsula, weighing about 66.5 grams with a wingspan near 25 cm. It inhabits rocky wadis, date palm groves, and dry woodland, where it hunts insects and small vertebrates at night. Its cryptic streaked plumage makes it nearly invisible when roosting against tree bark or rocky surfaces during the day.
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.