<P> This yellow - eyed, black - beaked white bird is easily recognisable . It is 52--71 cm (20--28 in) long, with a 125--150 cm (49--59 in) wingspan . Also, these owls can weigh anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb). The average lifespan in the wild is ten years . It is one of the largest species of owl and, in North America, is on average the heaviest owl species . The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some dark spots; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate . Its thick plumage, heavily feathered taloned feet, and colouration render the snowy owl well - adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle . </P> <P> Snowy owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking, almost quacking krek - krek; the female also has a softer mewling pyee - pyee or prek - prek . The song is a deep repeated gahw . They may also clap their beak in response to threats or annoyances . While called clapping, it is believed this sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue, not the beak . </P> <P> The snowy owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region, where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60 ° north . However, it is a particularly nomadic bird, and because population fluctuations in its prey species can force it to relocate, it has been known to breed at more southerly latitudes . During the last glacial period, there was a Central European subspecies, Bubo scandiacus gallicus, but no modern subspecies are recognized . </P> <P> Snowy owls nest in the Arctic tundra of the northernmost stretches of Alaska, Northern Canada, and Eurasia . They winter south through Canada and northern Eurasia, with irruptions occurring further south in some years . Snowy owls are attracted to open areas like coastal dunes and prairies that appear somewhat similar to tundra . During irruption years when they are found in the Northeastern US, juveniles frequent developed areas, as well as the expected grassland / agricultural areas that older birds primarily utilize . All ages spend a fair amount of their time over water in the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean, mostly on ice floes . They have been reported as far south as the American Gulf Coast states, Hawaii, southernmost Russia, and northern China . </P>

Do snowy owls live in the northern or southern hemisphere