Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis
Snow Buntings have mostly white plumage with rusty-brown patches in winter, and they flash bold white wing patches when they fly. They nest in the high Arctic but can be spotted in small flocks on Channel Islands beaches or coastal headlands from late autumn into winter, scavenging among shingle and seaweed.
- Habitat: Windblown beaches, dunes, and open ground with sparse vegetation.
- When to See: Regular but in small numbers from October to March; often in small flocks.
- Diet / Food: Seeds, grass seeds, and small insects; they may also pick tiny crustaceans in wrack.
- Length: 16–17 cm