Small birds of a bird with long wings belong to the genus. The physique is usually tight. In the plumage of the plumage of representatives of the genus, white colors prevail. The beak is small, generally no longer than half the head. Horny palate with 3 rollers. The nostrils and sides of the base of the beak are covered with thick tufts of feathers. The mandible is more massive than the mandibles. The wings cover at least 2/3 of the tail when folded. The tops of the wings are sharp, formed by the first 3 fly feathers. The tail is shorter than the wing, is wide, with a rounded notched end. The plumage is long and very thick, soft, does not fit snugly to the body.
Birds inhabit predominantly high latitudes, also found south of the polar circle on the sea coast and in the alpine zone . In the winter wander south. Nest in shelters. The eggs are spotty.
As of February 2018, 2 species are included in the genus [2] :
- Plectrophenax hyperboreus Ridgway, 1884 - Polar Snowflake [1]
- Plectrophenax nivalis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Punochka
The polar bug is sometimes considered a subspecies of the common bug and is reportedly an example of two species hybridizing. However, a 2007 study revealed significant differences in the plumage of young individuals of two species, confirming their difference from each other.
