Longspurs · Perching birds
Snow Bunting
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Plectrophenax nivalis
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Voice
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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Small, a bit larger than a sparrow, with long wings
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White underparts; black-and-white back and wings
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Spring male: white head, black back, bold white wing stripe
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Winter plumage: black bill turns yellowish, back edges buff
About the species
The Snow Bunting feels at home in very open, cold country, and its look changes with the season. In summer the black-and-white pattern is sharp; in winter it turns softer and blends better with snow, dry grass, and bare ground.
It stays low, spending much of its time on the ground and moving with a walk or quick hops. Its voice is a bright, falling trill, and in the Arctic it appears early in spring and leaves once snow and hard frost return.
It is tied to the tundra, but in winter it shifts south to open places, including steppes. In summer it eats insects, while in winter it switches to seeds and grain; near people it may even feed at rubbish dumps.
Where to find
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On open lots, seaside embankments, and bare construction edges — where wind blows the snow off and patches of gravel stay exposed, Snow Bunting feeds straight from the ground.
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and frozen puddles in the cold season — especially at the ice margin, where a flock pecks quickly at crumbs and seeds.
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On wide lawns, sports fields, and rough industrial ground with sparse grass — look for short runs between low stems.
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On waterfronts and bridges in windy weather — it perches on railings and then flicks into a wavering flight, calling with a bright trill.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Plectrophenax nivalis Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Snow bunting Encyclopedia article