The Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) is a small, migratory passerine in the family Calcariidae, recognized for its striking white wings and black-and-white breeding plumage. It breeds on rocky, bare Arctic slopes and winters in coastal fields, salt marshes, and agricultural areas across central North America and Eurasia. Listed as Least Concern in AviList v2026, it is a key species for observing Arctic migration and seasonal plumage adaptation.
Learn to identify
Snow Bunting in fresh non-breeding plumage, photographed at Gambell, Alaska, in early September.
Learning lesson · openly licensed photographs, labelled by BirdBot; labels checked against the cited sources and approved by AI
Yellow bill: usual colour; breeding males have an all-black bill. Brown-fringed back: winter back feathers have broad orange-brown edges. Black wingtips: black also shows in the tail. White underparts: white below in every plumage. Pale brown and white, with big white wing patches.
Summer males are clean black and white.
Sources: Audubon Guide to North American Birds: Snow Bunting · Wikipedia: Snow bunting (revision 1375980526)
Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; labels added by BirdBot.
The most reliable field mark for the Snow Bunting is its distinct white wings, which give the species its common nickname, "snowflake." This feature is visible in both sexes and across all seasons, though the surrounding plumage changes dramatically.
Summer (Breeding) Plumage:
Winter Plumage:
In winter, both sexes look alike, resembling the breeding female. The inky black feathers turn a duller grayish-brown, and the bill changes to a yellowish-orange. However, males retain a whiter wing patch than females. As winter progresses, the dull plumage wears away, gradually revealing the crisp black-and-white breeding colors in males.
Size: Adults measure 16.51 to 19.05 cm in length, weigh approximately 40 g, and have a wingspan of 30.48 to 33.02 cm.
Snow Buntings are strictly migratory, moving between distinct breeding and wintering habitats.
| Season | Primary Habitat | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Breeding) | Rocky, bare mountain slopes | Hidden in rocky terrain; high Arctic tundra |
| Winter | Coastal fields, salt marshes, agricultural areas | Open ground; often near water; central North America/Eurasia |
According to AviList v2026, the species breeds across the Holarctic region, from Greenland and Arctic islands eastward to the Chukchi Peninsula, Kamchatka, Aleutians, Alaska, and northern Canada to Ellesmere Island. In winter, they range to central Eurasia and central North America.
Snow Buntings are highly social, especially outside the breeding season. They migrate in large flocks that appear to be in constant motion, as birds in the rear fly over those in front, creating a continuous cycle. A clear hierarchy exists within these flocks: adults dominate first-winter birds, and males dominate females.
Cold Adaptation: To withstand temperatures as low as -40°F, Snow Buntings burrow deep into the snow for warmth. They are also known to bathe in the snow.
Associations: In winter, flocks usually contain only Snow Buntings. In other seasons, they associate with pipits (genus Anthus), horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), and Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus).
Snow Buntings are ground feeders. Their diet varies by season and location:
Snow Buntings breed farther north than any other known land bird. The breeding season begins in late May, after females arrive. Males return to their territories 3–6 weeks before females, aggressively defending their sites.
While most pairs raise one brood, studies by D. Nethersole Thompson indicated that some pairs (9 out of 19 in one study) raised a second brood.
The male Snow Bunting uses a warbled, finch-like song to attract mates. This song is typically delivered while the male is sitting or in circular flight. When a female approaches, the male may dive and pursue her, ending the chase with mating.
The Snow Bunting is currently listed as Least Concern (LC) in the AviList v2026 checklist. This status reflects its broad range and stable population, though it is not a new assessment or a local abundance estimate. In the United States, the species is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Observing Snow Buntings ethically requires respecting their habitat and minimizing disturbance, especially during breeding.
Next Action: On your next winter walk in a coastal or agricultural area, look for a flock of small, restless birds with white wings. Note the time of day and weather conditions, and record your observation in a community science platform to contribute to shared datasets.
See the Snow Bunting guide for full identification details and seasonal field tips.
Related guides are listed in the section above.
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