snowy owl

American  

noun

1. a diurnal, Arctic and subarctic owl, Nyctea scandiaca, having white plumage with dark brown markings.

---

snowy owl British  

noun

1. a large owl, Nyctea scandiaca, of tundra regions, having a white plumage flecked with brown

---

Etymology

Origin of snowy owl

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Now, just as unexpectedly as she arrived, the snowy owl has left Cypress.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2023

But sometime over the last few weeks, one snowy owl in particular made a surprise appearance in noticeably less harsh terrain — the shingled roofs and white chimneys of suburban Southern California.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2022

Crowds of bird-watchers have been showing up regularly in an Orange County neighborhood to gawk at a snowy owl, a species normally found around the Arctic, Canada and several northern U.S. states.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2022

There is no specific term for a female snowy owl.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2022

Perched upon a wide oak table, among more strange items, Duane spied a snowy owl reading from a large open book.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el