A husky and a snowy owl make an unlikely pair of friends, but we have proof. A YouTube video from Rumble Viral shows a rescued snowy owl sitting calmly with a husky. The owl leans over and preens the dog’s paws. The dog leans over and gives the owl a gentle sniff. It’s obvious these two have bonded and are experiencing a unique cross-species friendship.
A snowy owl and a husky dog make an unusual pair.
©Rumble Viral / YouTube
Why It’s Illegal to Keep Owls as Pets
The video doesn’t give us any information about the snowy owl. We can hopefully assume the owl was rescued and is being cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator with a special permit to keep the owl. In North America, it’s illegal to keep owls as pets. However, trained people with permits can rescue and rehabilitate owls, including snowy owls. The licensed individual may possess the owl as it’s being rehabilitated to return to the wild. Owls that are unable to return to the wild may be cared for by professionals. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains “stewardship” of the owls.
Snowy owls perch on high, waiting for the right moment to swoop down and capture their prey.
©Jim Cumming/Shutterstock.com
Hedwig the Snowy Owl may have made the perfect companion for Harry Potter, but in real life, these owls aren’t meant for domestic life. Snowy owls are predators, eating a diet of rodents and small mammals. Their favorite food is Arctic lemmings. But when not in the Arctic, they will hunt small mammals and rodents. In captivity, a snowy owl may need up to a dozen rodents per day. Another important consideration is space. With a 48 to 60-inch wingspan, these owls need a lot of room to stretch their wings.
Snowy Owl Characteristics and Behavior
Snowy owls prefer the cold and migrate north during summer, where they will venture as far as north of the Arctic Circle. During winter, they may venture south and be seen in the lower 48 states. Unlike most other owls, snowy owls are diurnal, meaning they hunt during both the day and night. Fortunately for bird watchers, it makes it possible to catch sight of a snowy owl on a winter day hunting for a bite to eat.
A husky and an owl have a gentle interaction together.
©Rumble Viral / YouTube
Another reason that snowy owls don’t make good pets is that in the wild, they live alone except when mating or raising chicks. Birds that do well in domestic life tend to be social birds that live in flocks. Birds such as parakeets and cockatiels are highly social and will show affection for their owners. Snowy owls don’t need the same level of social contact as birds that live in flocks.
How Did an Owl Make Friends With a Dog?
Animals are full of surprises, and the unlikely pair in the video appears to be close companions. The owl shows its affection for the dog when it preens its paw. Snowy owl mates preen each other. Also, owl mothers preen their nestlings, and nestlings will preen each other as well.
We don’t have much information on how the pair got together, but dogs are known to make friends with the most unlikely of species. Huskies have predatory instincts and will often chase small animals that flee. Huskies were bred in the Arctic as sled dogs that could survive the harsh conditions. In summer, they would be set free to roam the wild and hunt their own food. This leaves huskies today with a need for a lot of exercise and a high prey drive.
Husky dogs were bred to pull sleds across frigid environments.
©Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
However, despite a husky’s prey drive, there are all kinds of anecdotal stories of huskies living side by side with smaller animals, including cats and pet birds. For the most success, animal experts suggest introducing huskies to other animals at an early age. Also, supervised interactions are important. You wouldn’t want to leave your husky alone with a pet bird or cat unsupervised.
What Should You Do If You Find a Snowy Owl?
Snowy owls are on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable with decreasing populations. Wildlife experts are interested in learning more about how to conserve this species. If you find a dead snowy owl in your area, notify your state wildlife representative. Remember, wild birds, even when dead, are protected by federal law.
If you come across an injured snowy owl, call your state wildlife agency or search for a local wildlife rehabilitator. These are really powerful birds, and it’s best to leave the owl where it is and call the experts. Even an injured snowy owl could fight back, injuring you and also causing the bird even more stress.
