Photo of Snow Owl

-- The heaviest of North American owls, the Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca stands nearly half a metre tall, with a wingspan of almost 1.5 m. As is the case with most diurnal birds of prey?those that are active during the day?the female is larger and heavier than the male. The average weight of the female is 2.3 kg compared to 1.8 kg for the male. This is the reverse of the situation in most other families of birds, where males are typically larger than females, and has been the subject of much speculation.