Snowy owls undertake their annual migration to the Prairies, where ample rodent prey awaits them in expansive open areas. This year’s migration is significant as snowy owls have been newly classified as a threatened species. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) made this designation in May, following a 40% decline in the owl population over the past 24 years.
According to Louise Blight, COSEWIC birds specialist sub-committee co-chair, the decision to label snowy owls as threatened was a serious one. Climate change-induced habitat loss in their Arctic nesting grounds poses a major challenge, as warming temperatures lead to melting sea ice, diminishing hunting platforms for the owls. Additionally, avian influenza has affected snowy owls, with 15 cases reported in Canada since 2021, impacting both their health and winter prey.
During their southern migrations, snowy owls encounter various obstacles, such as vehicle collisions, electrocution from power lines, entanglement in human structures, and poisoning from consuming prey exposed to rodenticides. Colin Weir, managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, highlighted the hazards snowy owls face in new areas, emphasizing the need for vigilance to protect both wildlife and human safety.
Snowy owls are found across Canada post-winter migration, with an estimated 15,000 residing in the country, representing more than half of the global population. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature categorizes snowy owls as vulnerable due to their declining numbers. Tracking these owls proves challenging due to their nomadic behavior, making population assessments intricate and reliant on methods like attaching transmitters and citizen science initiatives like Christmas Bird Counts.
Given their threatened status in Canada, researchers are expected to intensify efforts to gather data from various sources to better comprehend snowy owl populations and address conservation concerns within their range.