Page 402 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BUNTINGS
Order Passeriformes Family Emberizidae Species Emberiza cia
Rock Bunting black stripes on crown,
through eye, and
below cheek
duller head
stripes slim body
rusty broad buffish grey chest
rump wings
rusty brown
streaks on
back
MALE
MALE
(WINTER) grey head
and chest
IN FLIGHT
orange-
brown
underside
less grey
on breast
than male
white-edged,
black tail
FEMALE
MALE (SUMMER)
his is a small, slim, colourful
Tbunting but can be frustratingly
difficult to see. It tends to sit somewhere on a stony slope, often
among thick bushes, calling frequently with a short, very thin, high
note that is hard to pinpoint. In winter, it gathers in small flocks,
often in grassy or weedy fields. It may be seen foraging beside roads FLIGHT: quite slow, low, erratic, with bursts of
in stony cuttings,or around archaeological sites with plenty of fallen wingbeats; also flitting between bushes.
stones and rough grass.
VOICE Call very thin,
short, high sip, monotonous
and elusive; song high, clear,
erratic warbling phrase.
NESTING Nest of grass,
roots, and bark on ground
in thick cover; 4–6 eggs;
2 broods;April–June.
FEEDING Feeds on insects
in summer; takes seeds GROUND FEEDER
from or near ground at Rock Buntings feed on grassy clearings, among low rocks and shrubs,
other times. around tumbled boulders, and often along roadside cuttings.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Breeds throughout Spain and
Portugal, in Mediterranean region,
black and grey and ORTOLAN BUNTING 32; and locally in Alps and C Europe.
yellow on orange 2has yellow and black In rocky areas with dry, bushy
head head stripes on head;
see p.397 slopes and crags and boulders, in
alpine meadows and grassy places
greenish
and yellow alongside road cuttings. Seen all
head 3 year in majority of range.
CRETZSCHMAR’S
CIRL BUNTING 32; BUNTING 32; Seen in the UK
see p.399 see p.453 JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 15cm (6in) Wingspan 22–26cm (9–10in) Weight 21–27g ( 3 ⁄4 – 15 ⁄16oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan 2–3 years Status Vulnerable
400