Black-faced Bunting

The Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) presents itself as a passerine bird of modest charm, belonging to the Emberizidae family. This avian species is distinguished by its stout bill and a general appearance that might remind one of a dunnock, albeit with the bill of a bunting.

Identification Tips

Adult males are characterized by a dark grey head, adorned with a unique blend of yellow-green and black between the bill and eye. The upperparts are a rich brown, heavily streaked with black, save for the rump which maintains a plain brown. The tail is a dark brown, while the underparts are a pale yellowish-white with fine dark brown flank streaks. The bill is a notable pink. Females and juveniles exhibit a more subdued head pattern, with olive-grey cheeks and a faint creamy white supercilium. Their underparts are a creamy yellow, heavily streaked with dark brown.

Habitat

The Black-faced Bunting breeds in the dense undergrowth that lines the streams and rivers within the taiga zone.

Distribution

This species breeds across southern Siberia to northern China and migrates to winter in north-east India, southern China, and northern south-east Asia. It is an exceptionally rare vagrant to western Europe.

Behaviour

The Black-faced Bunting is a terrestrial feeder, often seen foraging on the ground. It is known to winter in proximity to water, in agricultural or other open bushy habitats.

Song & Calls

The call of the Black-faced Bunting is a metallic-sounding 'tzii' or 'tzee', which is quite brief and not considered a true song.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in either ground or tree nests, where the Black-faced Bunting lays a clutch of approximately four to five eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The natural diet of this bird consists primarily of seeds. However, during the feeding of its young, insects become an important food source.

Conservation status

The Black-faced Bunting is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.