Strix nebulosa lapponica, Thunberg, 1798 (Lappugle)
Photo: Baard Næss
Cap: Dimmu Borghild
The owls are not what they seem...
The Great Gray Owl was first described by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1772. The name "nebulosa" is derived from the Latin "Nebulosus", meaning misty or foggy. The Great Gray Owl has also been called Great Gray Ghost, Phantom of the north, Cinerous Owl, Spectral Owl, Lapland Owl, Spruce Owl, Bearded Owl and Sooty Owl.