Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalis 

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.

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Discover more about snow bunting

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

Snow buntings can be seen throughout the winter when they migrate to Scotland. Found around the coasts and high up in our mountain ranges. There are a few you can look for during the summer, as a small amount breed in the Cairngorms.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

During the winter, you can spot Snow buntings on higher ground and quite often ski resort car parks. 

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

This small sparrow like bird, weighs no more than a golf ball! Around 60 brds breed in Scotland, are joined by upto 10,000 individuals during the winter.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

Snow buntings can be seen throughout the winter when they migrate to Scotland. Found around the coasts and high up in our mountain ranges. There are a few you can look for during the summer, as a small amount breed in the Cairngorms.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

During the winter, you can spot Snow buntings on higher ground and quite often ski resort car parks. 

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

This small sparrow like bird, weighs no more than a golf ball! Around 60 brds breed in Scotland, are joined by upto 10,000 individuals during the winter.

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

Snow buntings can be seen throughout the winter when they migrate to Scotland. Found around the coasts and high up in our mountain ranges. There are a few you can look for during the summer, as a small amount breed in the Cairngorms.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

During the winter, you can spot Snow buntings on higher ground and quite often ski resort car parks. 

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

This small sparrow like bird, weighs no more than a golf ball! Around 60 brds breed in Scotland, are joined by upto 10,000 individuals during the winter.