After migrating over 2,500 kilometers from the Arctic tundra, Snow Buntings make agricultural fields and burned prairies in Wisconsin their home from now until next April. During this time, Snow Buntings have a white underside, a rusty coat of feathers on their head and back, and a yellow beak. Flocking together in open fields, Snow Buntings look for seeds from native plants or agricultural crops. You may be able to hear the chew or chi-tik calls from Snow Buntings as they forage. Unfortunately, you won’t hear the Snow Bunting’s song at this time of year; male Snow Buntings only sing during the breeding season. At Faville Grove Sanctuary, open fields along Prairie Lane are the perfect place to spot some Snow Buntings.
From April to November, Snow Buntings are found in the tundra from the archipelagos of northern Canada all the way to Russia. During the winter, Snow Buntings inhabit much of the northern United States, some migrating as far as southern Illinois.
Snow Bunting in breeding plumage (photo by Mick Thompson).
Starting next March, Snow Buntings will begin their month-long journey back to the Arctic. This is accompanied by a change in appearance. Males lose the rusty brown they’ve been wearing all winter, revealing brilliant white plumage contrasting with black feathers on their backs. Instead of molting causing this color change, male snow buntings rub their feathers against the snow, wearing away the brown tips of their feathers to reveal their breeding plumage. At the same time, the beaks of the males and females turn from yellow to black. Before beginning their journey, Snow Buntings start a feeding frenzy, increasing their body mass by up to 30% in preparation. Upon arrival in their breeding grounds, males will compete for the ideal nesting habitat in a rocky crag, the best of which is near vegetated sedge meadows or lichen. They are the first migratory birds to arrive in the arctic tundra, a small herald of warmer temperatures to come.
Written by Parker Gimbel, Faville Grove Sanctuary team
Cover photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. A Snow Bunting in winter plumage on the ground.
