(Plectrophenax hyperboreus)
Likely, the whitest
of all North American
songbirds...
Macauley Library photo...
Yesterday, it was the Snow Bunting...today it is the McKay's Bunting. the two buntings are the same size, but their ranges are vastly different.
While the Snow Bunting is found across most of Alaska, arctic and lower Canada, and the northern United States, the McKay's Bunting's breeding range is limited to just four Bering Sea islands: Hall, St. Paul's, St. Mathews and St. Lawrence.
It winters on the western end and southeastern coasts of Alaska.
Its song is a loud, trilled flutelike warbling, similar to a Snow Bunting's song.
They forage on the ground, eating seeds, flowers, leaflets, insects and spiders.
This bird has one of the smallest ranges in North America. Apart from the four islands mentioned above, during the breeding season the McKay's Bunting is uncommon in winter in coastal Alaska. It is however accidental south along the coast towards Oregon.
This small bird is also seriously threatened by native and introduced predators on its nesting islands.
Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder
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