More Snowbirds

Feb 24, 2011

By Steve Blight

Winter is beginning to wind down, the days are getting longer and the sun feels a little bit stronger every day. Not to say that we can put away the snow blowers and bring out the beach umbrellas just yet – we all know that March can bring some pretty good snow storms. Still, by this time of year maple syrup season is usually either underway or just around the corner, a welcome sign for many residents of this part of Ontario.

Late winter can be a good time of year to see a group of three small birds that spend the winter in our area – Snow Buntings, Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs. These three species can often be seen flocking together in open fields or along roadsides throughout our area.

All three species are relatively common but are easily overlooked, and as a result aren’t very well known. Most are only here during the winter, they are small, and they don’t often come to feeders. But since they are around at a time when other birds can be scarce, it’s worthwhile getting to know these three “snow birds” a little better.

Let’s start with Horned Larks. These are greyish-brown birds about the size of a Bluebird. Males and females have similar plumages. They have very distinctive head patterns – small black “horns”, yellowish faces and throats, and black bibs and eye stripes. Their faces are quite striking – but you really need binoculars to fully appreciate them. Horned Larks are frequently seen flying away at a low angle from the roadside as you drive by – providing a great but frustratingly short view of the greyish upper side of their wings and backs!

Snow Buntings are a bit smaller than Horned Larks, measuring about 6 ¾ inches in overall length, or about 17 centimetres. Their winter plumage is a mix of brown, white and black, but their longish wings are always black and white. Snow Buntings breed in the arctic but are found in southern Canada and northern United States in winter, where they prefer weedy field, dunes, beaches and grain stubble. For regular readers of this paper who want to know more, I wrote a column on Snow Buntings, which was published in the Frontenac News on January 28, 2010 (frontenacnews.ca/2010/10-04_jan_28/outdoors_lol_10-04.html)

Lapland Longspurs are also arctic tundra breeders that pass their winters in grassy fields, shores and grain stubble in southern Canada and across the United States. They are the smallest of the three “snow birds”, measuring up at about the size of the common European House Sparrow. Their colouring is overall darker than the other two species. The male’s striking breeding plumage is very different from the plainer female – black head and breast, well outlined by a white or buffy stripe extending back from the eye and running down to the sides of the breast. The nape is a rich, reddish brown.

For readers who are want to get a little better acquainted with our three snowbirds, take along a pair of binoculars with you next time you are on the road and check out those flocks of black, brown and white birds. But best to do it soon – before long they’ll be off, leaving us behind to enjoy the coming of spring in the Land O’Lakes.

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.