# Snow Bunting (*Plectrophenax nivalis*) The Snow Bunting is a small, cheerful bird that loves cold places. With its white feathers and black wings, it looks like a little snowflake flying in the sky! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Tundra - **Also known as:** Snowflake Bird ![Snow Bunting](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plectrophenax_nivalis_P3130099.jpg&width=800) Photo: Amasuela - Luis Lafuente Agudín, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plectrophenax_nivalis_P3130099.jpg) ## Appearance The Snow Bunting has striking white plumage with black wingtips and a black back in breeding males. In winter, both sexes show more brown mottling on their heads and backs. It's unique for its very white appearance, helping it blend into snowy environments. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Calcariidae - **Genus:** Plectrophenax ## Interesting facts - Males sing beautiful, complex songs to attract a mate in the vast tundra. - Snow Buntings are among the most northerly breeding land birds on Earth! - These birds often build nests deep in rock crevices, safe from predators! - They can burrow into snow to find food or shelter from harsh storms! ## Special abilities - **Arctic Survivor:** Snow Buntings can survive frigid arctic winters because their dense feathers provide excellent insulation, helping them stay warm. - **Snow Camouflage:** Snow Buntings have white plumage that helps them blend perfectly into snowy landscapes, making it hard for predators to spot them. - **Frostbite Fighter:** Snow Buntings have specialized scales on their feet that help prevent frostbite, allowing them to stand on ice and snow. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-32 cm - **Weight:** 0.026-0.04 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 10-15 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mostly munch on seeds and insects, especially during the breeding season! - **Primary Foods:** Grass seeds, Weed seeds, Beetles, Flies, Spiders, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — A common predator in their arctic habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A swift raptor that preys on small birds. - **Depends on:** Arctic Willow (*Salix arctica*) — Provides seeds, insects, and some shelter in the tundra. - **Eats:** Tundra Bumblebee (*Bombus polaris*) — An insect found in the Snow Bunting's arctic diet. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Snow Bunting? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Snow Bunting? 15-18 cm ### What is Snow Bunting's wingspan? 30-32 cm ### How much does Snow Bunting weigh? 0.026-0.04 kg ### How long does Snow Bunting live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Snow Bunting move? 40 km/h ### What does Snow Bunting eat? They mostly munch on seeds and insects, especially during the breeding season! ### Where is Snow Bunting usually found? Tundra ## Where to spot - [Downtown Ossining Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-ossining-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Cherry Springs State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherry-springs-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park - [Danebod](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/danebod) — Minnesota, US · Historic District - [Stafford Village Four Corners Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stafford-village-four-corners-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Snow Bunting](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/snow-bunting) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Snow Bunting: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snow-bunting)