Rock Bunting

Overview

The rock bunting (Emberiza cia) is a passerine bird belonging to the bunting family, Emberizidae. It is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 16 cm with a pale grey head marked with black striping in breeding males.
• Chestnut upperparts and unmarked deep buff underparts in breeding males; females have paler underparts, a grey-brown back, and a less contrasted head.
• Juveniles resemble females but possess a streaked head.
• Song is described as a twittering 'churrrr-chirrriiii-itt' with a sharp 'tseee' call.

Habitat

The species breeds in open dry rocky mountainous areas across northwest Africa, southern Europe east to central Asia, and the Himalayas, with local breeding in central Europe. Northern populations are partially migratory and winter further south, while the bird is a rare wanderer to western Europe.

Diet

Its natural food consists primarily of seeds, but it feeds its young on insects.

Did you know?

The specific name cia is derived from a local Italian name for the bird, originating from the verb zirlare, which means 'to chirp'.