Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis

Appropriately named, the Snow Bunting is a bird of the high Arctic and snowy winter fields. Even on a warm day, the mostly white plumage of a bunting flock makes you think of the image of a snowstorm. Sometimes known as the “snowflake,” its white plumage and dancing flight give its flocks the appearance of swirling snow flurries.

Cool Facts*

• The Snow bunting can be found at high altitudes, even in the high Arctic, and is one of the few species to inhabit “nunataks,” exposed islands of tundra that protrude above the surrounding ice caps. Look up the word “tundra” with your family and talk about what that word means.
• During the breeding season, these birds can be found far to our north in very cold areas of the world but during the winter, some of them migrate south and can even be seen eating grain from some of our farm fields!
• They usually feed on the ground, eating seeds, buds and insects. They also eat wheat, oats and barley from farm fields.
• They nest around June in the Arctic. The nest is built deep in a crack or cavity in the rock, and has lots of moss, grass, rootlets, fur and feathers to help keep the eggs and chicks warm. The female “mom” sits on the nest most of the time to keep the eggs very warm and the male “dad” comes and helps to feed the female while she is sitting on the eggs. Great way to work together little Snow buntings!
• Some people believe these birds might be on the decline; reasons are not fully understood yet but it may be due to threats like the use of pesticides on crops since this species often feeds heavily on agricultural fields in the winter. Look up the word “pesticides” with your family and talk about what that means. What might be a way you and your family can check to make sure there are no chemicals that hurt birds, animals and insects around your yard and home?

* Information taken from Cornell Lab of Ornithology site All About Birds and ARKive, a not-for-profit initiative of the Charity Wildscreen.

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