No.080 · Birds · Rare
Snow bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis
A small white-and-brown bunting that drifts like snowflakes over the plateau in winter; a handful stay to breed high up in summer.
When to see a snow bunting
November to April, mostly at dawn, by day and at dusk.
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Time of day
- Dawn
- Day
- Dusk
- Night
Where to see a snow bunting in the UK
- The Cairngorms. The Cairngorm plateau, ski area and upper corries; mostly a winter visitor.
Snow bunting facts at a glance
- Best time
- Day, October–March on the plateau and ski slopes; a very few breed in June–July.
- Where in the game
- the Cairngorms (mountain)
- Size
- About 16 cm
- Wingspan
- 32–38 cm
- Weight
- About 33 g (28–39 g)
- Lifespan
- Typically 3 years once breeding; the oldest ringed bird was nearly 9 (BTO)
- Population
- About 60 breeding territories in the UK (BTO, 2011) and around 13,000 birds in winter (BTO, 1981–84)
- Status
- Amber (Birds of Conservation Concern 5, 2021)
Diet
Seeds in winter; insects for chicks in summer.
Habitat
High, stony plateau and snow patches; in winter also coasts and tops.
Breeding
Nests in rock crevices in June–July; 4–6 eggs, incubated by the female for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 12–14 days; one or two broods
Field signs
- A rippling, tinkling 'tirrirrip' call
- White wing patches in flight
- Flocks working over open ground or ski-slope car parks
- Rust and white males
Did you know?
- Only about 60 breeding territories occur in the UK, all in the Scottish mountains; in winter the numbers swell to around 13,000 (BTO).
- Male snow buntings sing from a rock on the plateau in spring.
- Snow buntings breed farther north than almost any other songbird.
Moments worth waiting for
- Winter flock
A flock of snow buntings blows across the snow like flakes, dropping suddenly to feed on seeds on a windswept ridge.
Photo tip
Look on the ski slopes, car parks and plateau snowfields in winter, and use a fast shutter for flocks. Underexpose slightly on snow.
Be a good naturalist
Stay well back from any suspected summer nesting area on the plateau and never use playback. Leave a wide berth for birds with chicks between June and July.
The law
Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest.
