Idaho · Winter visitor

Snow Buntings in Idaho

When snow buntings are present in Idaho, when they nest, which native Idaho plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.

Longspurs and snow buntings (Calcariidae)Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalis
Status in Idaho
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–7b

When to expect snow buntings in Idaho

In Idaho, snow buntings are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.

Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.

Native Idaho plants that attract snow buntings

Of the regional native plants we track for Idaho, these 8 provide food or cover snow buntings use:

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch
Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Feeding snow buntings through the Idaho year

  • Top foods: Cracked corn, Millet (scattered on open ground or snow).
  • In Idaho's winter: Cold winters with inversions in the valleys; mountain finches and Bohemian Waxwings move into towns.

Full diet breakdown for snow buntings · Best feeder for snow buntings

Frequently asked

Are snow buntings in Idaho year-round?

No. Snow Buntings are winter visitors in Idaho and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract snow buntings in Idaho?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Idaho that provide food or cover for snow buntings.

Snow Buntings in other regions

Other backyard birds in Idaho

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerPileated WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeChestnut-backed ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchBlack-chinned HummingbirdRufous HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowVaried ThrushViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheePinyon JayClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowLapland LongspurHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Snow Bunting — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Snow Bunting life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Snow Bunting — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Idaho
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.