© David Syzdek
[email protected] Amazing Species: Snowy Owl The Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiaca, is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This distinctive owl has a circumpolar distribution around the Arctic Circle, including Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland, the Russian Federation, and it is occasionally found in north of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Geographical range
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In northern Europe, this species is believed to have declined as a result of persecution and hunting, leaving a relatively small population which is consequently more vulnerable to extreme events. Most of the North American Snowy Owl breeding areas are relatively remote from the effects of human disturbance, although some individuals are lost due to collisions with vehicles, power-lines, aircraft, are shot, or become entangled in fishing gear. The Snowy Owl is legally protected from shooting and trapping in the United States of America, and in Europe it is protected under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and the EC Birds Directive. Policies being put in place to protect large bird species from electrocution on power-lines, and from airplane strikes, should also benefit this magnificent bird. The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership.