What is a Snowy Owls community?

Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is an arctic-nesting and tundra-breeding bird of prey in the family Strigidae. Snowy owls occupy a circumpolar range in the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting most of the Arctic in North America and Eurasia, and ranging farther south in areas with enough prey and available nesting sites. In their vast range, they are typically seen as solitary birds, although they may congregate in communal areas with high prey densities. For instance, researchers found that 10% of breeding snowy owls in Utqiagvik, Alaska nest annually within a 1,500-meter radius of the runway and active areas associated with the local airport, likely drawn to the abundance of nearby small mammal prey including lemmings and voles.

Because snowy owls are relatively large solitary predators in Arctic environments, they play a crucial role in the balance of the local ecosystem. As top predators in their community, snowy owls help control populations of small rodents and other animals, which can have a ripple effect on the entire food chain.