User:Carolinebonner/Snow bunting

Lead
The snow buntings are able to elevate cold hardiness to extreme levels during migration without any changes to their maintenance costs. This is important for their ability to fly, breed, and reproduce as they migrate to arctic locations and then back to more southern areas.

Article body
During migration, the snow buntings overall body mass increases to prepare them for colder weather. Their fat mass increases, and pectoralis muscle gets thicker, however their lean mass decreases. Overall, their fat mass increases by 30% and their lean mass decreases by 15%. When they are finished in arctic regions they are able to loose all their weight they gained to fly south and be able to live in warmer climates. Being able to change their body composition enables them to survive the harsh environment with little to no maintenance costs.”