From Opus

Photo by gmax

Emberiza cirlus

[edit] Identification

15-16.5cm. Male Cirl Buntings have diagnostic black and yellow faces. The females show hints of this same black and yellow pattern including obvious broad dark lines behind and below the eye.

[edit] Similar Species

If you are in doubt about whether you have a Cirl Bunting or a Yellowhammer, check the rump colour - grey brown on a Cirl Bunting, almost red on a Yellowhammer. Also, Cirl Buntings have a small grey shoulder patch and richer chestnut on the upperparts.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by dippers
Female, Prawle Point, Devon

Common in the south-west of the Western Palearctic, breeds from Iberia and Morocco north to most of France, the extreme south of England (southern Devon) and southwest Germany, and east to southern Romania and northeast Turkey. It is resident throughout its range, with no migratory populations.

Extralimital records are rare, with only a handful of records north to Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and the Ukraine, and south to the Canary Islands and Egypt.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 2 subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

The preferred habitat is warm, dry scrubland and low-intensity agriculture with small fields and numerous hedges with scattered large trees for song perches; also uses large gardens close to farmland.

[edit] Behaviour

Flocks with other seed-eaters, especially Yellowhammers.

[edit] Flight

Hops. A rather bounding flight.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects and seeds.

[edit] Breeding

The nest is placed in a hedge or bush, and the eggs are incubated for 14 days. There can be 2 or 3 broods.

[edit] Vocalisation

Call "zit"

[edit] References

1. ARKive
2. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966

[edit] External Links