Wall color:
|
The Snowy Owl is one of the prairie's most beautiful winter residents. They can often be seen perched on fence posts, large trees, or sometimes high up on telephone poles scanning the open fields for its prey. Their striking white feathers and black spots are perfect camouflage in the wintery landscape, and they can be incredibly skilled hunters. In recent years, the population of snowy owls has been in decline, and in 2017 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), moved the snowy owl up the endangered species list to "vulnerable". There are many possible factors leading to their decline, such as habitat loss, climate change, and human interaction or activities. All of which continue to need more study as the extremely nomadic nature of the snowy owl can make it a challenge to do so. But programs and better technology have led to more accurate counts and monitoring of the species. This amazing bird, able to survive the extremes of the arctic and subarctic winters, can be both very resilient, and yet very susceptible to the pressures placed on it. With more conservation work and research, I hope that the future of this beautiful bird is as bright as its amazing plumage, set against a crisp blue winter sky.
