From Opus

Photo by pavlik
Saratov region, Russia

Emberiza hortulana

[edit] Identification

16 cm, 20-25g
Typical bunting, similar in size and shape to the Yellowhammer. Pink bill and yellow/light eye ring diagnostic.
Male has grey head with a small yellow dot on chin.
Female with distinctive black/white moustachial stripes. Rusty below, variegated rusty/black above.

[edit] Distribution

Female
Photo by pavlik
Saratov region, Russia, June 2005

April to September: Europe and western Asia
October to March: Equatorial sub-Saharan Africa

Occurance is mostly unexplainably sporadic throughout range but tends to prefer drier regions with a mix of shrubbery and diverse farmland.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

[edit] Habitat

Scrub, farmland, towns.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

They nest on or near the ground.

[edit] Diet

They are mainly seeds eaters, supplemented by beetles and other insects when feeding young.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
2. Wikipedia

• List of references

[edit] External Links