Mary Allen
Who discovered the snowy owl?
The snowy owl, also known as the Arctic owl, was first discovered by European explorers in the Arctic region. It is believed that the first sighting of the snowy owl was made by the Dutch explorer William Barents in 1596 during his exploration of the Northern Sea Route. The snowy owl was also observed by the famous explorer Captain James Cook during his third voyage to the Pacific in 1778. However, it was not until the 19th century that the snowy owl began to be studied in detail.
Early research on snowy owls
Early research on snowy owls was primarily focused on their physical characteristics and distribution. In the early 19th century, naturalists like John Richardson and William Swainson began to study the snowy owl’s anatomy and behavior. They noted the bird’s large size, white plumage, and distinctive facial features, as well as its hunting habits and breeding patterns. By the mid-19th century, the snowy owl had become a popular target for collectors, and many specimens were brought back to Europe for study. In the late 19th century, the American ornithologist Robert Ridgway published a comprehensive monograph on the snowy owl, which included detailed descriptions of its physical characteristics, distribution, and behavior.