The RSPB: Snow bunting

Snow bunting

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Latin name

Plectrophenax nivalis

Family

Buntings (Emberizidae)

Overview

Snow buntings are large buntings, with striking `snowy' plumages. Males in summer have all white heads and underparts contrasting with a black mantle and wing tips. Females are a more mottled above. In autumn and winter birds develop a sandy/buff wash to their plumage and males have more mottled upperparts. Globally they breed around the arctic from Scandinavia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland and migrate south in winter. They are a scarce breeding species in the UK, in Scotland, making tham an Amber List species. They are more widespread in winter in the north and east when residents are joined by continental birds.

Where to see them

Best looked for in winter on coastal sites in Scotland and eastern England (as far south as Kent).

When to see them

Most commonly seen in winter, arriving from late September and leaving in February and March.

What they eat

Seeds and insects

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	70-100 pairs	10-15,000 birds	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)