Snowy owls are large, white-feathered birds native to the Arctic regions of Eurasia and North America. So when a pair of snowy owls showed up last month in Chicago, residents of the city were surprised.
The moment Elena, an amateur birdwatcher, heard about the snowy owls, she knew she had to see them for herself. On Thanksgiving day, Elena, who preferred to have her last name omitted, headed out to the pier where the male and female owls had been frequently observed.
Instagram / @elena.c.birds
Shortly after Elena arrived at the pier, she spotted the female snowy owl sitting by herself next to a fence pole. The owl had her feathers puffed around her for warmth and was closing her eyes in what appeared to be a peaceful expression. Elena made sure to maintain as much distance as possible between her and the owl so as not to disturb or endanger the vulnerable bird.
Instagram / @elena.c.birds
“I was so excited to see this beautiful snowy owl,” Elena told The Dodo.
Elena stood for a while, admiring the unusual visitor’s unique appearance. As a female, the bird was slightly larger and had darker coloring than her male counterparts.
“These birds have a striking presence with their white plumage peppered with black feathers and piercing yellow eyes,” Elena said.
Instagram / @elena.c.birds
After snapping a few photos, Elena headed home to escape the freezing weather. She shared the pictures and videos on Instagram, and thousands of people from all over the world were blown away by the sight of an arctic animal hanging out in front of city skyscrapers.
But why are there snowy owls in Chicago right now? According to Project SNOWstorm, a snowy owl conservation and research organization, some of the white birds migrate south each winter. But every few years, there’s an event known as an irruption, in which many young owls leave the Arctic.
“This is caused by a surplus of snowy owl food, lemmings, this past summer and therefore a highly successful breeding season, which in turn leads to more healthy owl chicks migrating south,” Elena said.
As unusual as this irruption event may seem, it’s actually been happening every few years for centuries.
“[I]rruptions have been recorded since the 1800s, meaning they are not caused by climate change,” Elena said. “However, climate change is definitely affecting these owls’ Arctic habitats and their food sources in concerning ways.”
Instagram / @elena.c.birds
By springtime, the young female owl Elena observed will return to the Arctic tundra she calls home. But Elena will never forget the day she got to see the beautiful white bird sitting peacefully on a Chicago pier.
“I have loved owls since childhood, so seeing such an incredible species of owl for the first time in a city that is so meaningful to me was truly memorable,” Elena said.
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