Red-headed Bunting
Emberiza bruniceps
The Red-headed Bunting is a brightly colored central Asian songbird whose breeding males show a chestnut-orange head, greenish back, and yellow underparts, closely related to the Black-headed Bunting.
- Feather type
- Contour and flight feathers, chestnut-orange breeding pattern
- Colours
- Chestnut-orange head with a greenish-yellow back and yellow underparts in breeding males
- Bird size
- Sparrow-sized, ~16 cm
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Overview
Overview
The Red-headed Bunting breeds across the steppe and farmland of central Asia and is closely related to, and can hybridize with, the Black-headed Bunting where their ranges meet.
- Family: Buntings (Emberizidae)
- Genus: Emberiza, the Old World buntings
- Known to interbreed with Black-headed Bunting in a zone of range overlap
Identifying the Feather
Feather Identification
Red-headed Bunting feathers show a chestnut-orange head and throat in breeding males, contrasting with a greenish-yellow back and bright yellow underparts.
- Shape: Rounded contour feathers; tail feathers show limited white edging
- Size: Small to medium for a bunting, similar in scale to Black-headed Bunting
- Color pattern: Breeding males show a chestnut-orange head, greenish-yellow back, and yellow underparts; females and nonbreeding birds are duller, streaked buff-brown with a pale yellowish wash
- Shaft: Pale, not diagnostic
- Vs. similar species: The chestnut-orange rather than black head separates breeding males from Black-headed Bunting; hybrids can show intermediate head coloring
Plumage & Molt
Plumage Details
Breeding males show a chestnut-orange head and throat, greenish-yellow back, and bright yellow underparts; females and nonbreeding birds are streaked buff-brown with a pale yellow tinge.
- Sexes: Breeding males are far more colorful than females
- Juveniles: Streaked buff-brown, lacking bright adult coloring
- Seasonal changes: Nonbreeding plumage is considerably duller and more streaked
- Molt: Complete molt after breeding, with feather wear also contributing to brighter spring appearance
Habitat & Range
Habitat & Range
Red-headed Buntings breed across steppe, farmland, and scrub of central Asia, wintering mainly in South Asia.
- Range: Breeds from the Caspian region east across central Asia; winters mainly in the Indian subcontinent
- Habitat: Open steppe, farmland, and scrub with scattered vegetation
- Migratory status: Long-distance migrant between central Asian breeding grounds and South Asian wintering areas
Behavior & Field Notes
Behavior & Field Notes
Red-headed Buntings forage on the ground and in low vegetation, feeding on seeds and insects depending on season.
- Diet: Insects during breeding season; seeds and grain during migration and winter
- Nesting: Builds a cup nest low in shrubs or dense vegetation
- Voice: A short, warbling song similar to that of the closely related Black-headed Bunting
- Field notes: Where its range meets that of Black-headed Bunting, hybridization can produce individuals with intermediate head coloring, complicating identification
Frequently asked questions
How can you identify a breeding male Red-headed Bunting?
Look for a chestnut-orange head and throat contrasting with a greenish-yellow back and bright yellow underparts.
Does Red-headed Bunting hybridize with other buntings?
Yes, it is known to hybridize with the closely related Black-headed Bunting where their ranges overlap, sometimes producing intermediate head coloring.
What habitat does the Red-headed Bunting use for breeding?
It breeds across open steppe, farmland, and scrub habitats of central Asia.
Where does the Red-headed Bunting winter?
It migrates long distances to winter mainly in the Indian subcontinent.
Red-headed Bunting guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Red-headed Bunting.
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