Meadow Bunting

The Meadow Bunting, or Siberian Meadow Bunting (Emberiza cioides), presents a charming sight with its rufous-brown plumage and dark streaks adorning the back. The male of the species boasts a striking head pattern, characterized by brown hues complemented by white eyebrows, a moustachial stripe, and throat, alongside grey flanks on the neck. Its outer tail-feathers flash white, while its legs are a subtle pinkish-brown. The female, though similar in appearance, is somewhat more subdued in coloration and has a less distinct head pattern.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Meadow Bunting, look for the male's bold head pattern and the white accents on the outer tail-feathers. The female can be recognized by her paler and duller plumage, with a less pronounced head pattern. Both sexes measure between 15 to 16.5 cm in length, making them a small but noticeable presence in their preferred habitats.

Habitat

The Meadow Bunting is partial to dry, open environments. It thrives in a variety of settings, including scrublands, agricultural fields, grasslands, and open woodlands, where it can often be spotted perched or foraging.

Distribution

This species is indigenous to eastern Asia, with its breeding range extending across southern Siberia, northern and eastern China, eastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan. While generally sedentary, the northern populations exhibit some migratory behavior, moving southward to areas as far as southern China and Taiwan during certain seasons.

Behaviour

The Meadow Bunting is known for its monogamous pairings, with couples often returning to the same breeding grounds year after year. They construct their nests low in bushes or directly on the ground, creating a secure environment for their offspring.

Song & Calls

The male Meadow Bunting's song is a brief, yet spirited phrase typically delivered from a prominent perch. Its call consists of a series of up to four sharp notes, which can be heard echoing through its habitat.

Breeding

Breeding season sees the Meadow Bunting laying a clutch of three to five eggs. These eggs are incubated over a period of 11 days, and the fledglings take flight after an additional 11 days, marking the completion of their early development.

Conservation status

The Meadow Bunting is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This status reflects the bird's widespread distribution and stable population numbers, indicating that, for now, the species does not face any immediate threats to its survival.