snowbird

Snowbird commonly refers to several subjects. In natural history, it is the common name for the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), a small North American songbird in the sparrow family. It breeds in northern forests and, outside the breeding season, forms flocks that feed largely on seeds on the ground.

The term is also used colloquially to describe a person who migrates from cold regions to a warmer climate during winter, often retirees or seasonal workers, sometimes called a snowbird. They may relocate to the southern United States, the Caribbean, or other temperate locations.

Snowbird is the name of a ski and summer resort in Utah. The Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is in Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Salt Lake City, and opened in 1971. It is noted for steep terrain, high elevation, and the aerial tram that connects the base to the upper mountain.

The Snowbirds, officially the 431st Air Demonstration Squadron, are the Royal Canadian Air Force's aerial demonstration team. Formed in 1964, they perform precision formation aerobatics at domestic and international air shows, flying trainer-type jets, historically the Canadair CT-114 Tutor.

---