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| − | [[Image:Black-headed_Bunting.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Black-headed_Bunting.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo © by {{user|Martin+Creasser|Martin Creasser}}<br />[[Lesvos]], [[Greece]], May 2003]] |
;[[:Category:Emberiza|Emberiza]] melanocephala | ;[[:Category:Emberiza|Emberiza]] melanocephala | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 16cm<br /> | + | 16cm (6 in)<br /> |
The '''males''' have black heads, brilliant yellow underparts and rich reddish-brown upperparts. | The '''males''' have black heads, brilliant yellow underparts and rich reddish-brown upperparts. | ||
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Otherwise they look like big, fairly long-bodied buntings with an obvious white eye-ring, rather sandy-brown plumage, a striking pale wing panel and a rich chestnut coloured rump. The lack of white outer-tail feathers also separates them from most other buntings. | Otherwise they look like big, fairly long-bodied buntings with an obvious white eye-ring, rather sandy-brown plumage, a striking pale wing panel and a rich chestnut coloured rump. The lack of white outer-tail feathers also separates them from most other buntings. | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:DSC02118.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Female<br />Photo © by {{user|Shantilal+Varu|Shantilal Varu}}<br />Kutch, Gujarat, [[India]], April 2015]] |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
Female and immature birds are very similar to [[Red-headed Bunting]]. | Female and immature birds are very similar to [[Red-headed Bunting]]. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Common in the south-east of the [[Western Palearctic]], breeds on the east coast of the Adriatic from [[Slovenia]] to southern [[Greece]], also in south [[Serbia]] and [[Macedonia]], the Aegean coast of Greece and most islands, European [[Turkey]], [[Bulgaria]] and north on the Black Sea coast to the [[Danube Delta]]. In Turkey breeds almost throughout (except north coast) and east to northern [[Iraq]] and Transcaucasia. Absent from the Caucasus but occurs further north from Crimea and eastern Sea of Azov east to the Caspian. Also breeds on [[Cyprus]] and in the [[Middle East]] south to northern [[Israel]] and west [[Jordan]]. | Common in the south-east of the [[Western Palearctic]], breeds on the east coast of the Adriatic from [[Slovenia]] to southern [[Greece]], also in south [[Serbia]] and [[Macedonia]], the Aegean coast of Greece and most islands, European [[Turkey]], [[Bulgaria]] and north on the Black Sea coast to the [[Danube Delta]]. In Turkey breeds almost throughout (except north coast) and east to northern [[Iraq]] and Transcaucasia. Absent from the Caucasus but occurs further north from Crimea and eastern Sea of Azov east to the Caspian. Also breeds on [[Cyprus]] and in the [[Middle East]] south to northern [[Israel]] and west [[Jordan]]. | ||
| + | [[Image:IMG 47374.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|Scridifer|Scridifer}}<br />Byala [[Bulgaria]], July 2016]] | ||
| + | Increasing and now fairly widespread in [[Italy]] and records from south-east [[France]] have increased in recent years culminating in the first proven breeding there in 2000. | ||
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'''Migratory''', leaving breeding areas late July-August and moving south-eastwards to winter in western [[India]], returning late April-early May. | '''Migratory''', leaving breeding areas late July-August and moving south-eastwards to winter in western [[India]], returning late April-early May. | ||
| − | Frequent '''vagrant''' outside usual range and recorded throughout [[Europe]] north to [[Iceland]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[Estonia]], and west to [[Spain]] and North-West [[Africa]]. British records (c.166) mostly in May-June, also in July-October, the majority occur in [[Shetland]], others well-scattered throughout [[Britain]]. Also recorded in the [[Channel Islands]]. | + | Frequent '''vagrant''' outside usual range and recorded throughout [[Europe]] north to [[Iceland]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[Estonia]], and west to [[Spain]] and North-West [[Africa]]. British records (c.166) mostly in May-June, also in July-October, the majority occur in [[Shetland]], others well-scattered throughout [[Britain]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Also recorded in the [[Channel Islands]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | This is a [[Dictionary_M- | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. |
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | They breed in open areas with scattered trees, bushes and hedges. They are found from sea-level to around 2000 m. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | + | ====Breeding==== | |
| + | The male performs a song display flight.<br /> | ||
| + | There may be more than one brood. | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | + | Their diet consists of seeds, with the addition of invertebrates during the breeding season, particularly mayfly larva. | |
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| − | + | {{ Audio|Emberiza melanocephala (song).mp3 }} | |
| − | + | ||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | Click on photo for larger image | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:Black headed Bunting IMG 36381.JPG|Female<br />Photo © by {{user|James+Thomas|James Thomas}}<br />Kavadarci, [[Macedonia]], July 2009 | ||
| + | Image:BHBunting.JPG|Autumn bird<br />Photo © by {{user|draycotebirding|draycotebirding}}<br />Tresco, [[Scilly Isles]], October 2002 | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct24}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2016) |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch|Emberiza | + | {{GSearch|"Emberiza melanocephala" {{!}} "Black-headed Bunting"}} |
| + | {{GS-checked}}1 | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Emberiza]][[Category:Bird Songs | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Emberiza]] [[Category:Bird Songs]] |
Latest revision as of 15:48, 12 May 2025
- Emberiza melanocephala
Identification
16cm (6 in)
The males have black heads, brilliant yellow underparts and rich reddish-brown upperparts.
The females are much duller although they often show at least a hint of yellow, especially on the undertail coverts and the head is usually distinctly darker than the throat, creating a hooded effect which mimics the pattern of the male.
Otherwise they look like big, fairly long-bodied buntings with an obvious white eye-ring, rather sandy-brown plumage, a striking pale wing panel and a rich chestnut coloured rump. The lack of white outer-tail feathers also separates them from most other buntings.
Similar Species
Female and immature birds are very similar to Red-headed Bunting.
Distribution
Common in the south-east of the Western Palearctic, breeds on the east coast of the Adriatic from Slovenia to southern Greece, also in south Serbia and Macedonia, the Aegean coast of Greece and most islands, European Turkey, Bulgaria and north on the Black Sea coast to the Danube Delta. In Turkey breeds almost throughout (except north coast) and east to northern Iraq and Transcaucasia. Absent from the Caucasus but occurs further north from Crimea and eastern Sea of Azov east to the Caspian. Also breeds on Cyprus and in the Middle East south to northern Israel and west Jordan.
Increasing and now fairly widespread in Italy and records from south-east France have increased in recent years culminating in the first proven breeding there in 2000.
Migratory, leaving breeding areas late July-August and moving south-eastwards to winter in western India, returning late April-early May.
Frequent vagrant outside usual range and recorded throughout Europe north to Iceland, Scandinavia and Estonia, and west to Spain and North-West Africa. British records (c.166) mostly in May-June, also in July-October, the majority occur in Shetland, others well-scattered throughout Britain.
Also recorded in the Channel Islands.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
They breed in open areas with scattered trees, bushes and hedges. They are found from sea-level to around 2000 m.
Behaviour
Breeding
The male performs a song display flight.
There may be more than one brood.
Diet
Their diet consists of seeds, with the addition of invertebrates during the breeding season, particularly mayfly larva.
Vocalisation
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Female
Photo © by James Thomas
Kavadarci, Macedonia, July 2009
Autumn bird
Photo © by draycotebirding
Tresco, Scilly Isles, October 2002
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, M. Smith, and C. L. Wood. 2024. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2024. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2016)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Black-headed Bunting. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-headed_Bunting
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
