Snow Bunting
Least ConcernPlectrophenax nivalis
Visual Identification
Snow Bunting
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
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Snow Buntings primarily feed on seeds, particularly those of grasses and sedges. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They often forage in small flocks, pecking at seeds on the ground or plucking them directly from plants.
These birds often feed along agricultural fields in the winter, looking for grain and weed seeds uncovered along roadsides. They also feed along the shoreline of sandy beaches, hunting small invertebrates like amphipods.
Behaviour
Snow Buntings are ground-foraging birds, often seen running and hopping rather than walking. They form large, swirling flocks in winter, creating mesmerising aerial displays.
These birds are known for their cold hardiness, often being the northernmost songbirds encountered by Arctic explorers.
Vocalisation
Snow Buntings have a musical, tinkling call often described as 'tew' or 'pew'. Their song, which is heard mainly in breeding areas, is a warbling series of sweet whistles and trills.
In flight, they make a soft, rattling sound. During winter, flocks communicate with quiet, conversational chirps and twitters.
Nesting & Breeding
Snow Buntings begin their breeding season in late May to early June. Males arrive first to establish territories, performing flight displays to attract females. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.
Nests are built in rock crevices or other sheltered spots, using grass, moss, and feathers. Females typically lay 4-7 pale blue-green or creamy-white eggs with brown speckles. The eggs are well-insulated against the cold Arctic environment.
Incubation lasts about 12-13 days, by the female, whilst the male brings food. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 10-17 days. Pairs often raise only one brood per season due to the short Arctic summer.
Lifespan
The Snow Bunting typically lives for 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 10.2 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Snow Buntings face threats from climate change affecting their Arctic breeding grounds. Habitat loss due to changes in agriculture and coastal development also impacts their wintering areas.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting both breeding and wintering habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Snow Buntings in open, snowy fields or rocky coastal areas during winter.
- Listen for their distinctive, tinkling call, often described as a soft 'tew' or 'pew'.
- Observe their unique 'crawling' behaviour as they forage on the ground.
- In the UK, watch for them along the eastern and northern coasts from October to March.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Snowflake
Family:
CalcariidaePredators
Main predators include Arctic foxes, weasels, and birds of prey such as Snowy Owls, jaegers, and falcons. Cats and rats may pose threats in wintering areas.
Did You Know?
- Snow Buntings are one of the most northerly breeding passerine birds in the world.
- They can tunnel through snow to find food and shelter from harsh weather.
- Male Snow Buntings achieve their pure white summer plumage through wear, not moulting.
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FAQs
How to attract Snow Buntings?
Snow Buntings are very difficult to attract unless you live in an area they frequent. In such places, these birds may be attracted by spreading birdseed on the ground.
Do Snow Buntings visit feeders?
Snow Buntings do not visit bird feeders. These migratory nomads prefer to feed on the ground in wide-open habitats.
What is a flock of Snow Buntings called?
A flock of Snow Buntings is known collectively as a drift. Individual birds are often described as ‘snowflakes’.
Is a Snow Bunting a sparrow?
Snow Buntings are not in the same family as sparrows. In fact, Snow Buntings are members of the Calcariidae family (Longspurs and Snow Buntings), while sparrows are from the Passeridae and Passerellidae families.
Similar Birds
References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Plectrophenax nivalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22721043A89345729.
View source - 3 4
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source