Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Flight call description A rattle call is a soft, musical "pwi-di-di-di", usually three to five notes. Also a clear descending "ptheew", a short, harsh, buzzy "bjjj", and, less commonly, a variable redpoll-like "chute".
Fig.1. New York March 3, 1989 (WRE).
Rattle call from bird in flight.
Fig.2. New York March 3, 1989 (WRE).
"Ptheew" call from bird in flight.
Fig.3. New York March 3, 1989 (WRE).
"Bjjj" call from bird in flight.
Similar species Buzz call similar to Dickcissel but more muffled and heard only in association with other calls. See Lapland and Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Longspur rattles.
Behavior Primarily a nocturnal migrant but engages in resumed migration. Gives flight calls regularly in flight during the day. Gives "ptheew" notes and, less commonly, its rattle call in nocturnal migration. "Bjjj" call heard only in association with other two flight calls during the day.