Plectrophenax nivalis
(L 6.75" WS 14" Wt 1.5 oz)
Breeds in the high Arctic...when
the male is white and jet black.
Morton Arboretum
Lisle
22Dec2010
Plectrophenax in Greek means
spur imposter (referring to the
long claw on the hind toe);
nivalis in Latin means snowy.
© BirdNote,
Bob Sundstrom
Snow buntings lay more eggs the
farther north they nest.
(Joanna Klein, NY Times, 11Jul2017)