A few birds from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
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Snow Bunting:Snow Bunting Uksullaraq It's time for the snowbirds to be moving south again. If you're out hunting or walking on the tundra, you may see large flocks of what are really called Snow buntings drifting like giant snowflakes over open country. If you're lucky and you stay completely still, they may land nearby and begin feeding on the grass and sedge seeds that are found everywhere at this time of the year. You will see also that they have changed color from their bright black and white spring suit to a more cinnamon and white winter coat. And, in truth, unless the temperatures remain very cold for a long time, snow buntings won't travel very far south of their summer nesting grounds in western Alaska. That's why I've often wondered about the comparison of Alaskan retirees to snowbirds. But let's get to some facts. First, names. Their scientific name is Plectrophenax nivalis, which comes from the Greek, plektron, meaning a clawlike tool for striking the lyre (a Greek stringed instrument), in this case referring to the snow bunting's long straight hind claw. Phenax is Greek for false, because the claw isn't really used to play the lyre (at least, no one has ever seen it used this way). Nivalis, is the Latin word for snowy, which refers to its color and Arctic home range. Now for some Yupik names. In Scammon Bay, both words I learned there, "uksullaraq" and "uksurtaq," refer to some quality of winter, where in Hooper Bay and Marshall, the word, "kanguruaq" refers to something that resembles a snow goose, "kanguq," which in turn means something that has a frosty appearance. There is yet another name that they use on Nunivak Island, "cilumcuksugaq." which I'm not familiar with, but may figuratively mean, "the one who has an icy shirt on.'' Anyway you cut it, all of these Yupik names have to do with winter. And why not? This tough little bird nests farther north than any other songbird, including the raven, then spends the winter in cold country as well. It can stand temperatures of minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and burrows in the snow to keep warm. In spring, when their plumage has turned back to black and white again, the male puts on a mating display that reminds me a little of the Lapland longspur's. While fluttering in the air or perched on a rock or tundra "nunapik," he sings forthrightly in a broken twittering warble, hoping to attract a lady-love who will continue his family line into the distant future. After he finds his heart's desire, she builds their nest on the grassy tundra or a rocky beach and lays up to nine streaked pale blue eggs, which she also incubates alone. After two weeks or so, the eggs hatch, and two weeks later the young fly for the first time. Meanwhile, the male remains nearby, doing his best to guard his family against attacks from the likes of jaegers and other predators. If the young make it through their crazy teen months, they might, if they're lucky, live as many as eight or nine years, which is a long time for a small bird. In the Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska, snow buntings are regarded with such respect by the Inuit people that they build nest boxes for them. It is apparently a traditional practice that stems from the belief that these birds have spiritual significance and bring good fortune to those who build them. The nest boxes are scrupulously maintained and cleaned regularly, and, as a result, the birds reuse them year after year. According to Inuit elders, before construction wood was commonly available, families heaped stones together and fashioned special cavities to attract nesting birds. Interesting, eh?  |
