- Plectrophenax
Taxobox
name = "Plectrophenax"
image_width = 200px
image_caption = Snow Bunting
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia =Emberizidae
genus = "Plectrophenax"
genus_authority = Stejneger, 1882
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "P. nivalis"
"P. hyperboreus""Plectrophenax" is a small genus of
passerine bird s of the bunting familyEmberizidae .It has two members, which may be conspecific.
*
Snow Bunting , "Plectrophenax nivalis"
*McKay's Bunting , "Plectrophenax hyperboreus"They are high arctic breeding
seed -eatingbird s with stubby, conical bills, and much white in the plumage, especially in adult males. They nest in rock crevices. As would be expected, both species are highly migratory, wintering in more temperate areas.The plumages are similar, but McKay’s has more white and less black in the plumage, especially in the wings and tail. Adult breeding males of both species are mainly white with contrasting black on at least the wings, but are duller in winter. Females have white and brown plumage. The calls of both species are identical and include a low warbled "hudidi feet feet feew hudidi feet feet feew hudidi".
References
* Byers, Olsson and Curson, "Buntings and Sparrows" ISBN1-873403-19-4
* Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom and Grant, "Collins Bird Guide" ISBN 0-00-219728-6
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