Snowy owls have thick feathers for insulation against the Arctic cold which makes them North America’s heaviest owl, typically weighing about 4 pounds—one pound heavier than a Great Horned Owl and twice the weight of a Great Gray Owl – which is North America’s tallest owl.
Snowy owls generally breed from May to June, in which time, the male performs courtship displays to attract a female. Snowy owls nest on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. They choose a site with good visibility, such as the top of a mound which has ready access to hunting areas and a lack of snow. They may also use gravel bars and abandoned eagle nests.
The clutch size of snowy owls ranges from 3 to 11 eggs, depending upon the amount of prey available. The eggs hatch after approximately 5 weeks and both parents care for the owlets who fledge at 7 to 8 weeks.