Snow Bunting
| Class: Aves: Birds |
Diet: Seeds |
| Order:
Passeriformes: Perching birds |
| Size: 16
cm (6 1/4 in) |
| Family: Emberizinae:
Buntings |
Conservation Status:
Non-threatened |
| Scientific Name:
Plectrophenax nivalis |
Habitat: open stony
country, tundra, mountains; winters also on coasts and open country |
| Range:
Breeds in Iceland, Scandinavia, Northern Scotland, Arctic and subarctic
Asia, North America; winters south of breeding range |
 In
breeding plumage, the male snow bunting is almost pure white, except for
his black back, central tail and primary wing feathers. In winter, his
white plumage becomes mottled with rusty brown. The female has a gray-brown
head and back in summer and is simply paler and duller in winter. The snow
bunting spends much of its time feeding on seeds and insects on the ground,
where it can run quickly and hop. The nest is made from dead grass,
moss and lichen and is concealed among stones. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs,
which she incubates for 10 to 15 days. The male bird feeds his mate during
the incubation period and helps to feed the young.
  
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