Illustration of snowy owl
snowy owl
noun
: a large ground-nesting diurnal arctic owl (Nyctea scandiaca) that enters the chiefly northern parts of the U.S. in winter and has plumage that is sometimes nearly pure white but usually with brownish spots or bars
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some animals, such as the snowy owl and eagle, are poised to receive new habitats in the coming years, per the master plan. 
Christine Condon, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 Frost and Cirrus remain in the zoo’s snowy owl habitat daily. Megan Becka, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 Also available to view on the new website are photos and videos highlighting bird banding operations at the Baker’s Lake rookery, the Forest Preserves’ osprey propagation program banding, an exciting encounter with a snowy owl, and hawk bandings. Pioneer Press Staff, chicagotribune.com, 28 Feb. 2022 Over the winter, a Canadian snowy owl migrated around Capitol Hill, perching atop the Senate Office Buildings and the headquarters of the U.S. Capitol Police. Fox News, 9 Apr. 2022 This isn't the first time a snowy owl has made headlines. Christina Larson, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2022 Last year, a snowy owl was spotted in New York's Central Park for the first time in more than a century. CBS News, 11 Jan. 2022 The project, done almost entirely with volunteers, has raised more than $250,000 through crowdfunding and is the largest snowy owl tracking effort in the world, according to organizers. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2022 In February, a snowy owl was spotted in Central Park, the first time it had been spotted there in over 130 years. Christina Larson, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2022 See More
Christine Condon, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 Frost and Cirrus remain in the zoo’s snowy owl habitat daily. Megan Becka, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 Also available to view on the new website are photos and videos highlighting bird banding operations at the Baker’s Lake rookery, the Forest Preserves’ osprey propagation program banding, an exciting encounter with a snowy owl, and hawk bandings. Pioneer Press Staff, chicagotribune.com, 28 Feb. 2022 Over the winter, a Canadian snowy owl migrated around Capitol Hill, perching atop the Senate Office Buildings and the headquarters of the U.S. Capitol Police. Fox News, 9 Apr. 2022 This isn't the first time a snowy owl has made headlines. Christina Larson, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2022 Last year, a snowy owl was spotted in New York's Central Park for the first time in more than a century. CBS News, 11 Jan. 2022 The project, done almost entirely with volunteers, has raised more than $250,000 through crowdfunding and is the largest snowy owl tracking effort in the world, according to organizers. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2022 In February, a snowy owl was spotted in Central Park, the first time it had been spotted there in over 130 years. Christina Larson, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1781, in the meaning defined above