From Opus

Photo by Richard Ford
Male

Alternative name: Common Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclus

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Distribution

Europe and northern Asia.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 19 subspecies.

Photo by postcardcv
Female

[edit] Habitat

Breeds in almost any kind of marshy place: reedbeds, river banks etc but in winter will be found on farmland, particularly stubble fields.

[edit] Behaviour

Forms mixed flocks in winter with other buntings and finches.

[edit] Flight

Erratic bursts of wing-beats.

[edit] Diet

Its diet includes seeds and insects when feeding young.

[edit] Breeding

Photo by targetman
Lincolnshire UK June 2008

They lay 4-7 eggs in a nest which is built in a bush or reeds

[edit] Vocalisation

Song: repetitious "tseek, tseek, tseek, tissick".

[edit] References

1. Wikipedia
2. Birdwatchers Pocket Guide ISBN 1-85732-804-3
3. Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
4. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition

[edit] External Links