Chestnut Bunting

The Chestnut Bunting, Emberiza rutila, is a passerine bird belonging to the bunting family Emberizidae. It is a relatively small bird, measuring 14 to 15 cm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males donning a striking plumage during the breeding season.

Identification Tips

Breeding males are resplendent with bright chestnut-brown upperparts and head, while their breast and belly are a vibrant yellow with streaks adorning the sides. In contrast, non-breeding males are somewhat duller, their chestnut hues obscured by pale fringes on their feathers. Females are predominantly dull brown with dark streaks above, and their underparts are a paler yellow. Both sexes share a dull chestnut rump and a buff throat, with the tail being fairly short and showing little to no white on the outer feathers.

Habitat

During the breeding season, the Chestnut Bunting favors open forests rich in ground cover and interspersed with shrubs. In the winter months and during migration, it can be found in farmland, scrub, and woodland edges.

Distribution

This species breeds across Siberia, northern Mongolia, and northeastern China. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering in southern China, southeast Asia, and northeastern India. While there have been sightings in Europe, some are thought to be escapes from captivity rather than genuine vagrants.

Behaviour

The Chestnut Bunting is known for its variable, high-pitched song, which is typically delivered from a low perch within a tree. Its call is a succinct 'zick', bearing resemblance to that of the Little Bunting.

Song & Calls

The song of the Chestnut Bunting is a high-pitched and variable melody, often heard from a low tree perch. Its call is a brief 'zick', akin to the call of its relative, the Little Bunting.

Breeding

The Chestnut Bunting breeds in the vast expanses of Siberia, the northern reaches of Mongolia, and the northeastern territories of China.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Chestnut Bunting as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a more dire conservation status.