By Ashley Cunningham
Geographic Range
Snow buntings are found in both the nearctic and palearctic regions, including northern Europe, Russia, and Canada from early April to mid-September. After migrating in mid- to late-September, snow buntings can be found in southern Canada and the northern United States. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; National Wildlife Federation, 1996)
Biogeographic Regions:
nearctic 
(native ); palearctic (native ).
Other Geographic Terms:
holarctic .
Habitat
Plectrophenax nivalis is a migratory bird. In the summer breeding season, it makes its home hidden in rocky, bare mountain slopes. During the winter months Plectrophenax nivalis can be found in coastal fields, salt marshes, and agricultural areas. (Birdguides, 1999; Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; polar ; terrestrial .
Aquatic Biomes:
coastal .
Wetlands: marsh .
Other:
agricultural .
Physical Description
(1.41 oz)
(6.5 to 7.5 in)
(12 to 13 in)
Snow buntings are most commonly identified by their distinct white wings; in fact it is these wings that lend them the name "snowflakes". While the wings of this species provide a defining characteristic, the two sexes do not always look alike. The male is slightly larger and has mainly black and white coloring. The white is most visible on the underbelly, wings, and facial area. The male's tail is black tipped and the bill and feet are also black. The female snow bunting looks similar to the male; however, what is black on the male becomes a less brilliant grayish brown on the female. The white of the wings is also limited to a smaller patch of the female's inner wing. Despite the differences seen in the breeding months, in winter, male and female snow buntings look alike. Both look like the breeding female with inky black feathers turning a duller shade of grayish ginger brown. The bill also turns a yellowish orange. Yet even with the similarities, the male still exhibits a whiter wing. Throughout the winter, the dull plumage gradually wears away, revealing again the beautiful black and white feathers of a male snow bunting ready to mate.
Snow buntings are 16.51 to 19.05 cm long, weigh about 40 g and have wingspans of 30.48 to 33.02 cm. (Birdguides, 1999; Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Grzimek, 1973)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: male larger, sexes colored or patterned differently.
Reproduction
Snow buntings generally breed once yearly.
The breeding season begins in late May, after the female snow buntings arrive.
Snow buntings are generally considered to be monogamous. While this is true, there is extreme competition between the males. The more experienced males will return to the summer breeding grounds approximately three to six weeks before the females arrive. It is during this time that they claim their territory and aggressively defend it. It is also likely that the males return to the same territory year after year. Once the females arrive, the male snow buntings attracts them with their warbled song that many describe as finch-like. When a female approaches, the male dives and pursues her. The chase ends with mating. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)
Mating systems:
monogamous .
Snow buntings breed farther north than any other known land bird. The breeding season begins in late May, after the female snow buntings arrive. They build their nests with grass and moss and line them with feathers and fur. In hopes of avoiding predation, these birds hide their nests in the rocky terrain.
Snow buntings usually lay four to six eggs each season. The eggs are white with a ring of reddish brown spots around the largest end. The incubation period ranges from four to ten days and during this time the males feed the nestbound females. In the extreme cold, the eggs would not hatch if they did not have the mother's constant warmth. The chicks fledge in ten to fifteen days.
It is commonly said that snow buntings raise only one brood of four to six young a year. While this is predominately the case, studies by D. Nethersole Thompson showed that nine out of nineteen pairs raised a second brood. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Grzimek, 1973; Malkins, 2003; National Wildlife Federation, 1996; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
The incubation period for snow buntings ranges from four to ten days and during this time the males feed the nestbound females. In the extreme cold, the eggs would not hatch if they did not have the mother's constant warmth. The nestling period of snow buntings usually lasts ten to fifteen days. During this time the parents feed their nestlings almost exclusively arthropods. Since snow buntings are social birds and travel in flocks it is assumed that the young birds join the parental flock after fledging. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-hatching/birth (protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: male, female).
Lifespan/Longevity
Little is known about the lifespan/longevity of snow buntings.
Behavior
Snow buntings are a social species. They migrate in large flocks which appear to be in constant motion, because birds in the back fly over the birds in front, creating a constant cycle. In these flocks there is a definite hierarchy: adult birds are dominant over first winter birds and males over females. In winter, the flocks usually contain only snow buntings. However, in other seasons these birds associate with pipits (genus Anthus), horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), and Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus).
In order for snow buntings to withstand temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit, they burrow deep into the snow to stay warm. Snow buntings also enjoy bathing in the snow. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Jennings, 2001; North West Norfolk Ringing Group, 2003)
Home Range
We do not have information on home range for this species at this time.
Key behaviors:
flies; diurnal ; motile ; migratory ; territorial ; social ; dominance hierarchies .
Communication and Perception
The call of the snow bunting is used in mating. The male attracts his mate with a warbled song, which is usually delivered while he is sitting or in circular flight. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Grzimek, 1973)
Communicates with:
acoustic .
Food Habits
Snow buntings are ground feeders that live primarily on seeds, leaf buds, and insects. Young snow buntings are fed exclusively arthropods, including both insects and arachnids. After migrating south, snow buntings that nest along the sea coast add crustaceans to their diets. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)
Primary Diet:
carnivore (insectivore ); omnivore .
Animal Foods:
insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods.
Plant Foods:
leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts.
Predation
- Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)
- snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca)
The primary predators of snow buntings are arctic foxes and snowy owls. In order to protect themselves, snow buntings hide their nests amongst the rocky terrain. Their white wings also help to camouflage the birds against their snowy habitat. (Malkins, 2003)
Anti-predator adaptations::
cryptic .
Ecosystem Roles
Snow buntings impact their ecosystem the most through the food chain. They eat arthropods, seeds, and leaf buds. Since they associate themselves with other field birds, it is likely that all the birds in the environment compete for resources. Snow buntings are also prey to arctic foxes and snowy owls. As an important member of the food chain, snow buntings help maintain the delicate balance of their ecosystems. (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2000; Perrins and Middleton, 1985)
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse affects of Plectrophenax nivalis on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Little is known of snow buntings's effects on humans. However, they do provide pleasure for many bird watchers. For instance, in Alaska snow buntings are cavity-nesting birds and some people enjoy building birdhouses so they can observe the birds. (Quinlan, 2001)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
ecotourism .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Least Concern.
US Migratory Bird Act: [link]:
Protected.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
State of Michigan List: [link]:
No special status.
Snow buntings are protected by the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
For More Information
Find Plectrophenax nivalis information at
Contributors
Ashley Cunningham (author), University of Michigan.
Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. Alaine Camfield (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
