A Winter Visitor

A snowy owl photographed last winter at the Bronx Zoo. 

Though they are associated with the far north, snowy owls can actually be seen regularly in the northern U.S. - particularly during the winter months, and have even been known to stray as far south as Texas and southern California. 

Scientists believe their seasonal migrations are largely driven by fluctuating populations of rodents, their main food source.  Unlike most owl species, snowy owls hunt mostly during the day.

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