Plectrophenax

Plectrophenax is a small genus of passerine birds of the longspur family Calcariidae. The genus name Plectrophenax is from Ancient Greek plektron, "cock’s spur", and phenax "imposter".[1]

Plectrophenax
Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Calcariidae
Genus: Plectrophenax
Stejneger, 1882
Species

P. nivalis
P. hyperboreus

It has two members, which may be conspecific.

They are high Arctic breeding seed-eating birds 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
  1. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p. 310. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.