The Snowy Owl breeds in tundra habitats across northern Canada and across the circumpolar Arctic. Available results from the Christmas Bird Count suggest a large decrease in population since about 1970, though the survey does not cover the northern portion of the species' wintering range. The Snowy Owl has not been re-assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) since it was assessed as Not at Risk in 1995. However, the species was recently listed as globally Vulnerable by the IUCN based on changes in food availability due to climate change, and high mortality rates from collisions with vehicles and infrastructure (BirdLife International 2018). The species is also on several North American watch lists (see below). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The availability of lemmings affects reproductive success of Snowy Owls, and lemming abundance cycles are becoming irregular in some parts of the Snowy Owl's range. This breakdown in lemming cycles is potentially related to climate-induced changes in the quality and amount of snow (Post et al. 2009). Disruption of lemming cycles is not yet documented in Canada, but precipitation regimes have changed and are predicted to continue changing as a result of anthropogenic climate change (ACIA 2005). In winter, Snowy Owls collide with vehicles and electrical transmission wires, accounting for 14% and 10% of known mortality respectively (Kerlinger and Lein 1988).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
