For decades, the folks who migrate from the frigid north to sunny Florida every winter have been called “snowbirds.” But I got to meet a real snowbird recently on Merritt Island.
She is a Snow Bunting, and she is a little lost. This beautiful little bird typically spends summer in or near the Arctic Circle in northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Europe and Asia. In North America, it usually migrates to southern Canada, southern Alaska and the northern continental U.S. for the winter.
Despite the recent chilly temps, last I checked Florida is not a northern state and not supposed to be in this bird’s habitat (see map below).
But somehow this little female snow bird ended up in the central part of the Sunshine State.
It’s become quite the attraction at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, drawing lots of birders and photographers.
I didn’t get the best photos of the Snow Bunting, but she was still fun to watch.
