Seeing an owl is a magnificent experience — but one Michigan snowy owl is truly unique. What caused the owl to have red-orange feathers?
Rare Orange Snowy Owl Spotted in Michigan
Published on Feb. 28, 2025
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Rusty Snowy Owl Sighting Thrills Birders
There’s a certain majesty to seeing an owl — and especially a snowy owl. Soaring down to the United States during nonbreeding season, these large, regal birds have become iconic for their beauty. In the case of females and juvenile snowy owls, their flawless white and barred gray feathers pair perfectly with a set of stunning yellow eyes. When you see a snowy, it’s you who feels seen.
Birders in Michigan this year, however, have gotten to witness a surprising rarity. A notably unique snowy appeared this winter: a bird with red-orange coloration on its head and wings. How did this happen? What could have caused it? Here, we’ll outline a couple of theories.
Give a hoot about owls with these amazing owl facts.
Why Is This Snowy Owl Orange?
There are two circulating potential explanations for this snowy owl’s fiery feathers.
The first would be an accidental run-in incident that left the bird with uncommon coloring. Some have hypothesized that this snowy might’ve been sprayed with a flame retardant, come into contact with or been tagged with paint, or even gotten doused with de-icing fluid near an airport.
The other theory takes a more scientific approach. In an interview with MLive, a local Michigan news website, Dr. Kevin McGraw, the chairman of Michigan State University’s integrative biology department and a researcher of animal and bird coloration, posited that the bird’s coloring is the result of environmental triggers. Specifically, he mentioned toxins, pollutants like pesticides and heavy metal contaminants.
“This animal got exposed probably to something unique. But I would say we can’t be too, too sure,” he says in the MLive article. “It could have happened to mom, and mom could have passed that on to the young.”
Kevin further explains that this would be the result of abnormalities in the bird’s melanin. In short, something in the biological process of this bird’s melanin production would have had to happen to get the bird to display red, rather than all white, feathers.
Lastly, there’s the humorous — if not likely — explanation posited by a redditor on r/birding: “It was stuffing its face with Cheetos.”
If you love owls, you’re sure to enjoy these awe-inspiring, reader-submitted owl photos.
Where Is the Orange Snowy Owl?
This particular snowy owl was last sighted in the Huron County area of Michigan, so any birders located in that portion of the state might be in luck. As a reminder, while it’s exciting to see a once-in-a-lifetime bird, it’s safest to observe owls (and other wildlife) from a distance. Always show respect to the bird (and other birders!). Do not disrupt or disturb the owl in any way.
And regardless of what caused its coloring. do not attempt to feed it Cheetos.
Next, read about sightings of a rare yellow cardinal.
