Snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) are small passerine birds that breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate south in the winter months. Their diet consists primarily of seeds, and they frequently forage on the ground. This raises an interesting question for bird enthusiasts: will snow buntings come to backyard bird feeders? Let’s take a closer look at the habits and behavior of these winter visitors to find out.
About Snow Buntings
Snow buntings are plump little birds, about 6-7 inches in length with rounded heads and short, conical bills. In winter plumage, they are almost entirely white except for black wingtips. Males have varying amounts of black and brown mottling on their heads, backs, and wings. Females and immatures are duller with little to no black coloring.
These sociable birds breed in huge colonies on the Arctic tundra, feasting on insects and seeds from low-growing plants. Their nests are well-hidden in rocky crevices or burrows. Come fall, snow buntings gather in large migratory flocks numbering in the thousands. They fly south across Canada and the northern United States, some traveling as far as the central plains states.
Snow buntings prefer open habitats like coastal beaches, agricultural fields, and grasslands. They forage mostly on the ground, walking or running along while picking seeds out of the snow or dirt. Their diet consists of various weed seeds and grass seeds, as well as insects when available. In winter, they mainly eat seeds from plants like chickweed, lamb’s quarters, sedges, and grasses.
Do Snow Buntings Come to Bird Feeders?
Snow buntings are somewhat irregular visitors at backyard bird feeders. They may be attracted to feeders stocked with their preferred seeds, but are more likely to forage on seeds scattered on the ground. Here are some key points on their feeder habits:
- They are shy, skittish birds that prefer to eat on open ground.
- They may visit platform feeders, large hopper feeders, or tube feeders.
- Feeders placed on or near the ground are best to attract them.
- They prefer millet, nyger thistle, and other small “weedy” seeds.
- Whole peanuts may also entice them during winter months.
- They usually feed in flocks, sometimes numbering 100+ birds.
- Snow buntings are more likely to visit feeders in rural areas.
While snow buntings are not regular feeder birds like chickadees or nuthatches, they may stop by when natural food gets covered by snow. rural areas. Offering millet or nyger thistle seeds on platform or hopper feeders, especially near the ground, can help draw in these winter visitors. Scattering seed directly on the ground is best to mimic their natural foraging behavior.
Feeders and Seeds That Attract Snow Buntings
If you want to try attracting snow buntings to your yard, here are some tips on selecting the best feeders and seed types:
Platform Feeders
Platform feeders (also called tray feeders) consist of a wide, flat surface that holds seeds accessible to ground feeding birds. These allow easy access for snow buntings while also keeping seed contained. Look for larger sized platforms, at least 2 feet across. Place the feeder at ground level or just a few inches off the ground.
Hopper Feeders
Hopper feeders have large seed storage compartments and perches around the edges where birds can land. Try to find a large capacity hopper feeder able to hold at least 5 pounds of birdseed. Position it at the lowest possible setting – right on the ground if you can. The seed access area should be flat enough for snow buntings to perch and pick up seeds.
Tube Feeders
While tube feeders are not ideal for ground feeding snow buntings, they may come to shorter tube feeders placed low to the ground if properly stocked with millet or nyger seeds. Look for strong metal tube feeders less than 5 feet tall. Again, set them at ground height if possible.
Millet
Millet is a favorite food of snow buntings. White proso millet is best, which is a tiny round seed. Pour millet directly on platform feeders or fill hoppers and short tube feeders with it. Millet has a tendency to sprout when it gets wet, so provide it in small amounts that will get eaten up quickly.
Nyger Seed
Also known as nyjer or thistle seed, this tiny black seed from the niger plant attracts finches as well as snow buntings. Offer it in small quantities on platform, hopper, or tube feeders less than 5 feet high. .
Cracked Corn
Cracked or coarsely broken corn kernels are enjoyed by ground feeding birds. Sprinkle some onto platform feeders or the ground to help bring in snow buntings. Just a small amount is needed, since too much corn can lead to waste.
Peanuts
Whole peanuts in the shell may tempt snow buntings to feeders in late fall and winter when other natural foods get scarce. Offer them in small amounts on platform feeders or directly on the ground.
Feeder Type | Recommended Placement |
---|---|
Platform Feeder | On the ground or just a few inches off the ground |
Large Hopper Feeder | As low as possible – ideally right on the ground |
Short Tube Feeder | Less than 5 feet high, close to the ground |
Seed Type | How to Offer |
---|---|
Millet | Small amounts on platform or hopper feeders |
Nyger Seed | Small amounts on platform, hopper or short tube feeders |
Cracked Corn | Sprinkle sparingly on platform feeders or ground |
Peanuts | Offer whole, in-shell peanuts on platform feeders or ground |
Other Tips for Attracting Snow Buntings
In addition to setting up the right feeders and seed types, there are some other things you can do to successfully draw snow buntings into your yard:
- Wait until winter when natural food becomes scarce and snow covers the ground. This is when they are most likely to seek out feeders.
- Mimic their tundra habitat by allowing unmowed grassy areas. Treeless yards and fields also appeal to them.
- Provide open sight lines, as these shy birds like to spot predators from a distance.
- Avoid noisy disturbances that can scare them off, like loud music or machinery.
- Live in an area with a history of snow buntings – they are more common in rural northern areas.
- Try spreading seed on the ground away from feeders. They may find this more attractive than feeders.
The best chance of success comes from setting up platform or hopper feeders stocked with millet and nyger seed close to the ground. Be patient, as it may take some time for snow buntings to discover the food source. They travel in nomadic winter flocks, following food availability. Once a flock finds your feeders, numbers can quickly multiply as they call in their companions.
When to Expect Snow Buntings at Feeders
Snow buntings are most likely to visit feeders during the coldest winter months when snow cover is deepest. Here is what to expect by season:
Fall
Don’t expect snow buntings in fall. They are still gathering in huge migratory flocks in Canada before heading farther south. Some may reach northern U.S. states by late November, but natural food is usually still abundant at this time.
Early Winter
You might see the first scouts from migratory flocks arrive at northern feeders in December and early January. However, natural food like weed seeds are still easy for them to find, so feeders are not a big draw yet.
Mid-Winter
This is peak feeding time! From January through February, snow buntings readily visit feeders when heavy snow covers natural food sources. Their numbers increase as migratory flocks arrive from the north.
Late Winter
In March, the push northward to their breeding grounds begins. Feeder visits will decline sharply by late March and April as birds depart for Canada and Alaska.
Here is a simple timeline showing when to expect snow buntings by season:
Season | Likelihood of Feeder Visits |
---|---|
Fall | Very Unlikely |
Early Winter | Possible (depends on natural food supply) |
Mid-Winter | Most likely – peak feeding season! |
Late Winter | Declining as spring migration starts |
Behavior of Snow Buntings at Feeders
These tundra birds have some characteristic feeding behaviors to watch for if they come to your yard:
- Extremely wary – they will flush and flee if startled or threatened.
- Prefer to feed on open ground; may be hesitant to land on feeders at first.
- Forage in large, compact flocks of 50-100+ birds.
- Rapidly call to flock members while feeding – almost a constant chorus of metallic “teu” notes.
- Frequently take off and circle overhead before landing again as a group.
- Very active, walking or running rapidly between mouthfuls of seed.
- Will chase each other on the ground and aerially while feeding.
- Males will aggressively chase competitors like other buntings away from food sources.
Watch for their hesitant, start-and-stop feeding strategy. The flock will land, hurry to pick up seeds while calling constantly, then suddenly take off before circling and landing to resume feeding. Snow buntings always stay on alert for danger, even at feeders. Let them adjust at their own pace until they feel secure.
Fun Facts About Snow Buntings
While watching these winter visitors at your feeders, here are some fascinating facts about snow buntings worth knowing:
- Theirscientific name “nivalis” is Latin for snow, referring to their snowy white winter plumage.
- Males have over 3000 feathers – the most of any North American bird species.
- They migrate in massive flocks up to 200,000 strong, sometimes taking days to pass by.
- Snow buntings breed farther north than any other songbird – nesting on the remote northern Arctic coast.
- Females incubate the eggs while males vigorously defend the territory.
- Young leave the nest at just 12-16 days old, but are fed by parents for several more weeks.
- Snow buntings molt completely in fall, shedding all their feathers to grow new white winter ones.
- They store body fat before migration and dig down through snow to find seeds.
- Often hybridize with the related McKay’s bunting where their ranges overlap in Alaska.
These plump white visitors are well adapted to survive frigid Arctic winters. Observing them busily feeding at your feeders reveals powerful instincts for finding precious food sources in a harsh landscape.
Conclusion
Snow buntings are irregular winter feeder birds that may pay your yard a visit if conditions are right. Your best chance of attracting them is to provide platform or hopper feeders stocked with millet and nyger seed placed at ground level. They prefer to eat off the ground and will be hesitant to perch on feeders. For best success, try spreading seed directly on the soil as well. With patience and the proper habitat, you may be rewarded by a flock of these snow-colored visitors busy feasting on seeds! Watching them hurriedly scavenging while calling to each other provides a glimpse into the challenging winter survival strategies of this hardy tundra bird.