The Snow Bunting is one of two species of birds that often receives the nickname "Snowbird". This is not the "snowbird" mentioned in Anne Murray's song, that bird is the Dark-eyed Junco, a species that often arrives in the United States the same time as the first snow of the year. Snow Buntings are an Arctic breeding species that visit Nova Scotia only during the winter months. During most of the winter Snow Buntings live in open grassy areas. One of their favourite feeding areas is the upper parts of beaches and sand dunes. There they can find the delicious seeds of beach grasses.

Snow Buntings are extremely hardy birds and are not much bothered by cold temperatures. However, when a snowstorm hits they look for cover. When the biggest snowstorms hit, Snow Buntings often arrive at backyard feeders either just before, during or immediately after the storm. Usually they just stay for a day, so make sure you spend some time enjoying them while they are there. They will eat sunflower seeds out of your hopper feeder, but will also eat seed spread on the snow.

Snow Buntings are mostly white with black wings and small rusty-brown patches on their bead and body. To be truly impressed by Snow Buntings, watch them fly as it is then that they show gigantic white wing patches.

Anytime you have a flock of Snow Buntings visit your yard, be sure and check the flock carefully as they often have a few Horned Larks or Lapland Longspurs travelling with them. If the day they visit is not cold, open your windows and listen as the buzzy call notes of the Snow Bunting are quite interesting. See what else you can discover about the Snow Bunting (for example, does it walk or hop when feeding?).