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Index of Subjects Hi, Marg. Snowy Owls can sometimes be distinguished by their plumage characteristics. We typically see immatures on the east and west coasts, while adults migrate to the plains in the centre of the continent. Immature Snowies are much more heavily marked than adults. An adult male is either entirely white, or has only sparse grey or brown barring. Adult females are more heavily marked, with moderate or heavier barring on the breast, wings, head and tail. But there is much variation - the most heavily barred males resemble the most lightly barred females. Immatures are more heavily marked, and the females are more heavily barred than the males. An immature male resembles an adult female. Size may be a more reliable way of distinguishing male and female Snowies. Females, at 24-28 inches/60-70 cm in length, are noticeably larger than their male mates at 22-25 inches/55-64 cm, but again there is some overlap. So distinguishing the sex is not easy, but may be possible if this was a particularly lightly or heavily marked bird, or particularly small or large. You could try looking at images on the web and see where your friend's bird falls in the spectrum. Hope this helps. cheers, Susann Myers -------------------------------------------------- From: "Marg Millard" <mmillard@eastlink.ca> Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 5:11 PM To: "naturens" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Subject: [NatureNS] snowie owl in White Point > An acquaintance sent mea lovely photo taken today of a snowy owl on the > rocks in front of her home (right on the shore) in White Point Estates, > Queens Co. . Is there any easy way to tell males from females she is > wondering and I do not know. > Marg Millard. > > http://MargMillard.ca > >
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Index of Subjects