The Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) as Food in the Northern Circumpolar Region: Snjófuglur (Plectrophenax nivalis) til matna á økinum runt Subarktis

Abstract

According to a brief comment in J.C. Svabo's travelogue, the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) was considered among the Faroese to make a delicious repast. The snow bunting appeared in abundance during springtime in the villages; it was probably at this time that it was captured for food. However, evidence from the Faroe Islands concerning its use is sparse. According to many records from elsewhere, however, the snow bunting was considered a fat little bird that could be caught during its northern springtime migration, when it passed through northern Scandinavia, Greenland, Russia, Siberia, and North America. People in the subarctic region caught it in large numbers (usually in snares) and used it as food. It was also kept as a cage bird. Children in Greenland even used it as a kind of toy. According to an account from Nólsoy at the end of the 19th century, the snow bunting was captured in primitive enclosure traps. Although we lack detailed data on the methods used for trapping this bird in the 18th century, Svabo's sparse account is a plausible one.