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ORI Research

Our knowledge of Snowy Owls is expanded through a variety of research methods, including: observation, surveys, satellite tracking, banding, habitat and climate modeling, and population trend analysis. For ORI, all our research starts in the field where we collect various metrics at nests every four days.

Hiking for miles across the Arctic tundra is an exhausting and often monotonous task. During a breeding season, sometimes we monitor over 50 nests; sometimes just two that are distantly spaced over our 100-sq mile study site. But long tundra walks are often punctuated with a bit of excitement.

Snowy Owls vigorously defend their nests against potential threats including fox, jaegers, gulls, even polar bears are attacked when they get to close. And researchers. Males conduct most of the nest defense, but females will often join in. This can involve vocalizations like barking, screaming, and hooting, or occasional distraction displays. But most often our presence at a nest is met by repeated attacks – targeted swoops and dives performed by the male. And, indeed, all of our researchers have experienced the intense pain of Snowy Owl talons in their back.

But who could blame the owls? We’re the first to acknowledge that wildlife research can be an intrusion on their lives. But we also take great diligence to minimize our disturbance – working hard to get in and out as quickly as possible and paying close attention to potential dangers like predators or adverse weather. And we’re proud to say that our research has not caused a nest to fail, from abandonment, or other. The safety and well-being of the owls is always our top priority.

We believe that the temporary stress we cause is worth the gains to our understanding - increasing our ability to monitor, manage, and protect this iconic Arctic species. Only through long-term research are population trends revealed, or a species’ response to climate change is understood. We help conservation find focus and effectiveness; afterall, how can we help Snowy Owls if we don’t understand their challenges?

 
 
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PHOTO CREDIT

 

We are so grateful to the photographers who capture owls, and our work, in the most amazing ways. They generously share their work with us, and you. Check out the works of some of the photographers whose work is featured on our site! They are incredible talented artists who are committed to wildlife conservation.

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Thank you to:

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Kurt Lindsay: https://kurtlindsay.smugmug.com/Nebulosa/i-7D8Wh9d

Daniel J Cox: http://naturalexposures.com

Radd Icenoggle: https://www.flickr.com/photos/radley521

Melissa Groo: https://www.melissagroo.com

Ly Dang: https://www.nature2pixels.com

Tom Murphy: https://www.tmurphywild.com/

Deborah Hanson

OTHER PARTNERS

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ABOUT US

 

The ORI is a non-profit, 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. We are funded by individual and non-profit  group donations, grants from foundations and corporations, and occasionally agency contracts. We accept donations of real property, vehicles, and stock donations. Please consider us in your estate planning. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Our federal tax identification number is 81-0453479.

CONTACT ORI

 

PO BOX 39

Charlo, MT 59824

 

info@owlresearchinstitute.org

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(406) 644-3412

Copyright © 2021-2025 Owl Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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