An extremely range-restricted Arctic bunting. Endemic to a few small Bering Sea islands. Population estimated at 6,000 individuals.

Also called: McKay's

Native status: Native; vulnerable; endemic to Bering Sea islands

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 17 cm (6.7 in); wingspan 32 cm
Weight32–47 g
LifespanWild typically 4+ years
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCalcariidae

§ Encyclopedia

McKay's bunting is a passerine bird in the longspur family Calcariidae. It is most closely related to the snow bunting. Hybrids between the two species have been observed, leading some authorities to treat McKay's as a subspecies of the snow bunting. As the Plectrophenax buntings are nested within the Calcarius clade, their closest relatives are the longspurs. McKay's bunting breeds on two islands in the Bering Sea, St. Matthew and Hall islands, and winters on the western coast of the U.S. state of Alaska.

Source: Wikipedia — McKay's bunting Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Almost entirely white plumage with black wingtips and central tail feathers. Larger and whiter than Snow Bunting (males of which have more black on back and wings).

Similar species. Snow Bunting (more black on back and wings; widespread). No other US birds are this pale.

Voice. Whistled "trrr-tew" and tinkling musical notes — similar to but slightly more melodic than Snow Bunting.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (especially grass and sedge), insects in summer, occasional crustaceans.

Behavior. Breeds ONLY on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea — among the smallest natural breeding ranges of any North American bird. Total population estimated at 6,000 individuals. Winters along the Bering Sea coast of western Alaska. Was considered a subspecies of Snow Bunting until reclassified as a separate species; the two hybridize where ranges overlap.

§ Range

Bering Sea islands, Alaska

§ Habitat

Alaskan island habitats

§ Threats

Climate change in narrow island range, introduced predators.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the mckay's bunting is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support Bering Sea ecosystem conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS McKay's Bunting Profile
  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Audubon Alaska
  • IUCN Red List 2020