In the quiet outskirts of Calgary, where snow blankets the earth and the wind whispers through bare branches, the Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa) makes its home. Towering in length among the world’s owls, this elusive bird is an expert in enduring the cold and surviving the stark conditions of Alberta’s winters. With glowing yellow eyes and a finely mottled coat of grey feathers, it becomes a nearly invisible sentinel in the frozen forests.
These owls are often found in boreal woodlands and forest edges, areas where small mammals are abundant. Unlike many other birds of prey, Great Grey Owls prefer quiet wooded environments punctuated by clearings ideal for hunting. Despite their massive wingspan – stretching to nearly five feet – their light body weight and thick plumage are tailored to glide noiselessly through the air.
Primarily active at dusk and dawn, they depend heavily on hearing to locate prey beneath the snow. Their facial disc enhances sound detection, making it possible to hunt unseen creatures like voles even beneath a deep layer of snow. When a sound registers, the owl plunges silently into the snow, rarely missing its target.
Warmth from Feathers
The thick, layered plumage of the Great Grey Owl is nature’s perfect winter wear. Feathers cover even their feet, acting like natural boots, reducing heat loss during icy spells. This natural insulation keeps them agile and alert in temperatures that challenge most other species.
Hunting Without Sight
With vision often obscured by snowfall, their ears become their most critical tool. Great Grey Owls are able to detect movement buried deep under snowdrifts, an ability that offers a vital advantage in months when prey is difficult to see.
Conserving Energy
When prey is scarce or cold reaches severe levels, the owl remains perched in sheltered zones, minimizing activity. This stillness helps them hold onto warmth and save precious calories, especially crucial during long winter nights.
Finding Shelter
While they don’t construct nests of their own, these owls reuse nests left behind by other birds or settle into broken snags and specially built platforms. During winter, roosting in dense vegetation or hollow trunks offers crucial shelter from biting winds.
Even with their incredible adaptations, Great Grey Owls face rising challenges in and around Calgary:
• Shrinking Habitat: Expanding suburbs and logging operations eat away at essential hunting grounds.
• Cars and Roads: Highways that cut through fields and forests frequently intersect owl territory,
leading to tragic collisions.
• Toxic Prey: Rodents poisoned by pest control chemicals become deadly meals for raptors.
• Changing Seasons: Climate shifts affect the snow cover and the behavior of small mammals,
disrupting the owls’ food supply.
Preserve Natural Spaces
Supporting conservation efforts that protect forest edges, meadows, and wetlands is essential. Even planting native trees and allowing portions of your yard to grow wild can offer refuge and food for local species.
Help Create Nesting Spots
Work with wildlife organizations to build and place nest platforms in promising locations. These additions help fill the gap left by natural nest sites lost to urban? development or tree removal.
Say No to Poison
Choose natural rodent deterrents or live traps over chemical poisons. This small change can save the lives of owls and other predators that rely on small mammals.
Connect the Wild
Support efforts to create green pathways that link parks and protected areas. These corridors help owls travel safely between nesting and hunting territories.
Observe with Care
Enjoying wildlife is a privilege, but it’s important to keep a respectful distance. Avoid using bait, flash photography, or frequent approaches that can disturb their rest or hunting.
Report and Record
If you spot a Great Grey Owl, share your sighting with birding communities or wildlife researchers. Apps like eBird or local conservation groups use this data to monitor population health and movement trends.
Spread the Word
Organize talks, share your knowledge, or support education programs that highlight the importance of these owls. Awareness leads to action, especially among young nature enthusiasts.
Few birds capture the quiet power and resilience of Canada’s wilderness like the Great Grey Owl. Its silent flight over snowbound fields is more than a beautiful image—it’s a symbol of nature’s endurance. While these owls are well-equipped to survive the harshest conditions, they are not immune to human impact.
Each action we take—from conserving habitat to choosing non-toxic pest control—can shape the future for this incredible species. Let us protect the spaces they rely on, honor their presence, and ensure that the haunting elegance of the Great Grey Owl remains a part of Calgary’s winters for generations to come.
