DOWNTOWN — It's likely been about a year since a majestic snowy owl graced Chicago with its presence.
Once ultra-rare in the city, snowy owl sightings have been far more common in the last 10 years, with dozens spotted in Chicago over that time span.
But, according to the bird-tracking tool eBird, none have been seen within city limits since February 2016, when one was seen near O'Hare, and January 2016, when a snowy owl was spotted at Steelworkers Park in South Chicago.
City birders hope they return.
"It would be awesome to have them back," Field Museum ornithologist Josh Engel said. "They are a charismatic species that bring positive attention to birds in Chicago."
Engel said a few snowy owls have been spotted in the Chicago area in 2017 but none within the city.
Snowy owl sightings in the last 10 years via eBird:
In previous years, snowy owls were seen yearly at various city spots, including Northerly Island, Montrose Point, Hyde Park and even near Midway.
The birds usually live in the Arctic, where they feed on lemmings, but when they're in Chicago, they usually dine on mice and rats, but they've also been known to hunt fish, rabbits and other birds.
"They are often easily seen, because unlike other owls, they tend to spend the day in the open rather than hiding in trees," Engel said. "And people do love owls."
Here's a look at photos of snowy owls that made their way to Chicago in past years:
Snowy Owl, Lake Michigan off 12th Street Beach, Northerly Island, Chicago pic.twitter.com/XOXGmlahTQ
— ravenbrain (@ravenbrain1) December 23, 2014
Snowy Owl - Northerly Island #Chicago pic.twitter.com/mby7NbKvID
— ravenbrain (@ravenbrain1) February 10, 2015
Chicago Snowy Owl on Lake Ice: http://t.co/RteZKFGxxC via @YouTube
— jerry (@jerrygoldner) January 22, 2014
Another photo of the snowy owl I saw at Montrose. Still can't believe you can see these in the city. #Chicago pic.twitter.com/oMSQzg0oxQ
— Urban Wildlife Inst. (@LPZ_UWI) December 12, 2013
Ken Murphy sent us this picture of a snowy owl taking a break on Chicago's Montrose Pier. pic.twitter.com/Cws218qZ6q
— Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) December 19, 2013
The snowy owl at Montrose Harbor Beach in Chicago today. @IllinoisAudubon @audubonsociety pic.twitter.com/MxMzAF5L
— JReich (@jreich) December 17, 2011