Common Reed Bunting

Overview

The common reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) is a passerine bird in the bunting family that breeds throughout Europe and much of the Palearctic region. While most individuals migrate south for winter, those in milder southern and western areas are resident. It is a common sight in reedbeds but also breeds in drier open areas such as moorland and arable land.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird measuring 13.5–15.5 cm in length and weighing 10–28 g with a small but powerful seed-eating bill.
• Males feature a black head and throat, white neck collar and underparts, and a heavily barred brown back.
• Females are duller, displaying a streaked brown head and more barring underneath.
• The male's song is described as a repetitive srip.

Habitat

This species inhabits reedbeds as well as drier open areas such as moorland and arable land, including purple moor grass and rush pastures. It occurs on poorly drained neutral and acid soils of the lowlands and upland fringe, with strongholds in Sweden, Poland, and Norway.

Diet

Its natural diet consists of seeds at most times, but it feeds its young on insects.

Did you know?

The specific epithet schoeniclus is derived from the Ancient Greek skhoiniklos, a term used by Greek authors to describe an unidentified bird.