Page 456 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BUNTINGS/BOBOLINK
Family Emberizidae Species Pheucticus ludovicianus Family Emberizidae Species Junco hyemalis
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Dark-eyed Junco

Very rare in Europe, this is an unmistakable bird by This small American bunting is sparrow-like, rather
virtue of its large size for a finch, very large bill, and inconspicuous and quiet. Males are smoky grey, blacker
striking pattern. Males are black and white with red around the face, with an oval white belly patch, white
on the breast; immatures brown and streaked, males tail sides, and a pale pinkish bill. Females are tinged
with red under the wings.These, and adult females, are browner, especially on the wings, and a little sullied
boldly marked with a dark cap, very broad white band below (less pure white) but share
over the eye, dark cheeks, and white throat; two bars the same basic pattern, which is
of white spots cross the wing.The breast is buff, unlike any European species.
streaked with wavy black lines. OCCURRENCE Very rare
OCCURRENCE Very rare vagrant vagrant,sometimes pale
pink
in autumn in NW Europe, remaining all winter, bill
from North America. in NW Europe, smoky
VOICE Short, hard, from North grey
chik call. America. body
VOICE Short, ticking
note, sometimes
white spots
on wings repeated.
oval white
belly patch
MALE
MALE

Length 18–20cm (7–8in) Wingspan 30–32cm (12–12 1 ⁄2in) Length 14cm (5 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 25–30cm (10–12in)

Family Emberizidae Species Zonotrichia albicollis Family Icteridae Species Dolichonyx oryzivorus
White-throated Sparrow Bobolink
American sparrows are more like European buntings. Bobolinks visiting Europe in autumn are rather
Adult White-throated Sparrows have a thin white yellowish birds, striped with black and cream; they are
crown stripe edged black, a broad white band over the dumpy and heavy-bellied, with a narrow, tapered head
eye (yellow at the front), grey cheeks, and a white chin and tail.The bill is sharply triangular, and the head
patch. Immatures are duller, with a greyish and less shows a central yellow-buff crown stripe edged black
clear-cut chin and throat.The body plumage, streaked and broad buff stripes over each eye.The back has two
brown above and grey beneath, as well as the general long straw-coloured lines; the underside is creamy
stance and behaviour, recall a Dunnock (see p.292). with faint streaks only on the flanks.A short,
OCCURRENCE Rare vagrant in NW Europe, mostly narrow, spiky tail helps to separate it from
in spring, from North America. a common bunting
black and cream
VOICE Call a sharp, persistent, thin zit, and thicker or sparrow. stripes on
chink notes. OCCURRENCE upperparts
white band over eye Very rare vagrant in
with yellow in front
autumn in NW Europe,
streaked brown from North America.
ADULT upperparts
VOICE Short,
creamy
sharp pink.
below
long,
narrow
tail
ADULT (AUTUMN)
Length 15–17cm (6–6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 20–25cm (8–10in) Length 16–18cm (6 1 ⁄2 –7in) Wingspan 30cm (12in)
454