Why do some owl species begin nesting while snow is still on the ground?

Some owl species begin nesting while snow is still on the ground because their reproductive cycles are specifically timed to ensure that their young become independent when prey populations are at their peak.1

At northern latitudes, this strategy often results in owls nesting a month or two earlier than other raptors, such as hawks, which frequently leaves an incubating owl covered by several inches of snow. By initiating the nesting process early, these owls align the period of highest nutritional demand for their growing brood with the time of year when food resources are most abundant.1