Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalis

A small songbird that breeds in extreme climates, these gregarious birds live in cold, open habitats, frequently flying from spot to spot and showing off their snow-white wing and tail feathers.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Snow Bunting is a small, plump bird with distinctive white and black plumage. In breeding season, males display striking pure white bodies with contrasting black backs and wing tips. Females and non-breeding males have a more mottled brown appearance.

During winter, both sexes develop a rusty-brown wash on their heads and backs. The bird's rounded head, short neck, and stubby bill give it a characteristic chunky silhouette. The bill is black during the breeding season in both sexes, changing to a yellow-brown shade in the winter.

Juveniles seen from July to September are greyish above with paler bellies and a yellowish bill. These dull feathers are soon lost as they moult into their adult plumage.

Size

Length

15cm to 18cm

Wingspan

32cm to 38cm

Weight

30g to 50g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

White Black

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown White

Secondary Colour (Female)

Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Yellow

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Snow Bunting can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Snow Bunting can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Snow Bunting can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Snow Bunting is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Snow Buntings breed in the high Arctic tundra, favouring rocky areas and cliffs. Their breeding range includes northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and northern Eurasia. During winter, they migrate southward to open fields, coastal areas, and prairies.

In North America, they can be found across much of Canada and the northern United States. In Europe, they winter along coastal areas and in open countryside, with significant populations in the UK, particularly in Scotland and eastern England.

The only place to see Snow Buntings in the UK summer is a few high mountain peaks in Scotland.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Snow Bunting. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons