Striolated Bunting

Overview

The striolated bunting (Emberiza striolata) is a passerine bird belonging to the bunting family, Emberizidae. It is a resident breeder found across a range of dry habitats in Africa and South-West Asia.

Identification

• 14 cm in length, similar to the house bunting but smaller than the rock bunting.
• Breeding males feature a chestnut body and a grey head with darker streaking, a white supercilium, and a moustachial streak.
• Females have a brownish-grey head with more diffused streaking compared to males.
• Song is given from a perch and resembles, but is weaker than, that of the common chaffinch.

Habitat

It inhabits dry country from Chad, east through South-West Asia to north-western India. The species breeds in remote wadis, usually close to streams, avoiding human habitation.

Diet

Its natural food consists primarily of seeds. When feeding young, the bird also consumes insects.

Did you know?

The striolated bunting has a longer incubation period of 14 days for a clutch of three eggs, whereas it may lay two to four eggs in a nest on the ground or in a hole.