A rare Orange Owl was spotted in Michigan in early 2025

A rare, reddish-orange snowy owl was sighted and photographed in Michigan in early 2025, sparking debate among scientists about the cause of its unusual coloration. The owl, nicknamed "Creamsicle" or "Rusty" by observers, was confirmed to be a snowy owl, but the source of its unique pigment is still undetermined. Normally, snowy owls have white plumage with varying degrees of black or brown barring. Possible causes for the orange coloring
There are two leading theories for why the owl has a rusty-orange hue:
Environmental staining: This is the most likely explanation, according to some experts. Possible sources of environmental staining include:
Iron-rich soil: This could have stained the owl's feathers without harming the bird.
De-icing chemicals: A common reddish-orange fluid used on airport tarmacs could have coated the owl.
Wildfire residue: Some have suggested the owl could have been exposed to chemicals like flame retardants or smoke residue from wildfires.
Photographic evidence of the color fading over time supports the staining theory, as natural wear from rain and snow would wash away the pigment.
Genetic mutation: Some biologists theorize the owl's appearance could be due to a genetic mutation affecting melanin production. In particular, an increase in pheomelanin (a pigment responsible for red and orange tones) could be a factor. However, one ornithologist noted that the color seemed "too red to be caused by" natural pigmentation, and others have never seen such a striking coloration in over 35 years of studying the species. #OrangeOwl #LanguageLearning #wildlife #crestedowl #Nature