A snowy owl on the icy field, Quebec City, Canada

© Marco Pozzi Photographer/Moment/Getty Image

Ready for liftoff. Snowy owl

Owls, nocturnal birds of prey characterised by their upright stance, forward-facing eyes and silent flight, encompass a diverse family of species. Among them, the snowy owl stands out as an Arctic resident known for its white plumage. The snowy owl's thick feather coat, complete with a layer of downy under plumage, provides unmatched insulation against the biting cold. With keen yellow eyes and tufted feathers, these large raptors display exceptional predatory skills. The nocturnal predators mainly consume small mammals such as lemmings, a favourite of theirs. The nomadic birds rarely breed at the same location or with the same mate. During the cold season, they leave the Arctic and migrate to southern Canada and the northern United States.