Owl Weathervane – Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl Weather Vane, Bubo scandiacus, is one of our most spectacular sculpture pieces. To truly capture the effect of the bird’s distinctive white color, we’ve added optional gold leaf to the owl’s entire body. Per our customer’s request, this Snowy Owl Weathervane design was transformed into a wall hanging. Because each sculpture piece is made to individual order, we can personalize it in a myriad of different ways.

One thing bringing this Snowy Owl Weather Vane to life is its custom made realistic amber-colored taxidermy glass eyes. Most birds of prey sport eyes on the sides of their heads, but owl’s forward-facing eyes permit a greater sense of depth perception necessary for nocturnal hunting. Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets so they must turn their entire head to change views. The eyes of a Snowy Owl weigh as much as our own and have evolved over time to great acuity in low light.

If displayed atop a house in the woods or on a garden fence against a backdrop of dark trees, a gilded snowy owl weathervane takes on a luminous ethereal quality, which makes another of its common names, ‘Ghost Owl’ seem entirely appropriate. While most of our weathervanes show to best advantage against the clear sky, the gold or palladium gilded Snowy Owl Weathervane is one that comes alive in a shadow filled forest.

The Snowy Owl is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl, Great White Owl or Harfang. This yellow-eyed, black billed white bird is easily recognizable. It is 52-71 centimetres (20-28 in) long with a 125-150 centimetres (49-59 in) wingspan. Also, these birds can weigh anywhere from 1.6-3 kilograms (3.5-6.6 lb).

The adult male is virtually pure white while females and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily-feathered taloned feet, and pale coloration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.