Plectrophenax nivalis
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Mass
~40 g
Habitat
Grasslands and meadows
Diet
Seeds and grains
How to recognize it
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.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
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.
