Belongs to: buntings

Snow bunting Plectrophenax nivalis

Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List


Best time to see: Oct to Apr

Key facts

Winter visitors from the mountains of Scandinavia

Habitat: coast and estuary, occasionally inland

Uncommon winter visitor

Recognition

Mottled buffy upperparts with pale underside; 16–17 cm

Confiding birds, feeding along seawalls and shingle, sometimes in small flocks, keeping low on the ground

Feeds on seeds

  • Main photo
  • Flock

Photo © Robin Chittenden

Photo © David Harrison