Alternative name: Common Reed Bunting
- Emberiza schoeniclus
Identification
13.5-15.5 cm
Breeding Male
Black head and throat, white neck collar and underparts, heavily streaked brown back, deeply notched tail with white edges.
In winter the black is obscured by rufous-buff edging.
The female' and immature are much duller, though still heavily streaked, lacking the black head and white collar. A buff supercilium.
Legs reddish brown to black. Bill is dark and in most populations is small.
Similar species
Pallas's Bunting from eastern Siberia looks similar. However it's smaller, longer-tailed, the plumage is generally paler and it has a pale rump.
Distribution
Taxonomy
There are 19 subspecies.
Habitat
Breeds in almost any kind of marshy place: reedbeds, river banks etc but in winter will be found on farmland, particularly stubble fields.
Behaviour
Forms mixed flocks in winter with other buntings and finches.
Flight
Erratic bursts of wing-beats.
Diet
Its diet includes seeds and insects when feeding young.
Breeding
They lay 4-7 eggs in a nest which is built in a bush or reeds
Vocalisation
Song: repetitious "tseek, tseek, tseek, tissick".
<flashmp3>Emberiza schoeniclus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Wikipedia
- Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
- Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
External Links