snowy owl

snowy owl

noun

Definition of SNOWY OWL

: a large ground-nesting diurnal arctic owl (Nyctea scandiaca) that enters the chiefly northern parts of the United States in winter and has plumage that is sometimes nearly pure white but usually with brownish spots or bars

Illustration of SNOWY OWL

First Known Use of SNOWY OWL

1781

Rhymes with SNOWY OWL

guinea fowl, jungle fowl, on the prowl, roller towel, spotted owl, Turkish towel

snowy owl

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca)—W. Suschitzky

White or barred brown-and-white typical owl (Nyctea scandiaca, family Strigidae) of the Arctic tundra, sometimes found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Snowy owls are about 2 ft (60 cm) long and have broad wings and a round head without ear tufts. They are diurnal and eat small mammals, such as hares and lemmings, and birds. They nest on the ground in the open.