Emberiza fucata
The Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata) is a medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 15-16 cm in length and weighing around 16-20 grams. This distinctive bunting is readily identified by its striking chestnut-colored ear-patches, which contrast sharply with its grey head and a subtle, intricate facial pattern. Its upperparts are heavily streaked brown and black, while the underparts are whitish with subtle streaking on the flanks. Belonging to the family Emberizidae, it is closely re...
This bunting primarily inhabits open grasslands, scrub, and agricultural fields, often near water bodies, at low to moderate elevations up to 2,000 meters, preferring areas with dense undergrowth.
Their diet primarily consists of small seeds, particularly grass seeds, supplemented by insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season and for feeding young. They forage mainly by gleaning from the ground.
Chestnut-eared Buntings are diurnal birds, typically foraging on the ground among dense vegetation during the day and roosting in low shrubs or tall grasses at night. They employ a 'gleaning' foraging strategy, picking insects and seeds from the ground or low foliage, often moving with a distinct...
The Chestnut-eared Bunting exhibits a broad Palearctic breeding range extending across eastern Asia, from southeastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, through Manchuria, Korea, and much of mainland China, to northern Japan. Its wintering grounds span a significant portion of Southeast Asia, inc...
Least Concern
- The Chestnut-eared Bunting's scientific name, *fucata*, is Latin for "painted" or "rouged," referring to its distinctive facial markings. - Despite their widespread distribution, their secretive nature and preference for dense habitats often make them a challenging species to observe for birdwa...