Emberiza bruniceps
The Red-headed Bunting (*Emberiza bruniceps*) is a striking Old World bunting, renowned for the male's vibrant plumage. Males are unmistakable with their brick-red head and breast, bright yellow underparts, and an olive-green back streaked with black. They measure approximately 15-17 cm (6-6.7 in) in length, with a wingspan of 25-28 cm (9.8-11 in) and weigh between 20-28 g (0.7-1 oz). Females are considerably duller, exhibiting a brownish-grey head, streaky brown upperparts, and yellowish-buf...
This bunting typically inhabits open, dry habitats such as scrublands, cultivated fields, steppe, semi-desert areas, and orchards, often near water sources. It prefers lower to moderate elevations, generally below 2,000 meters.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds from grasses and agricultural crops, supplemented by insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season and when feeding young.
Red-headed Buntings are diurnal birds, active from dawn to dusk, foraging on the ground or in low vegetation. During the breeding season, males are highly territorial, singing their rich, wheezy songs from prominent perches like a bush top, fence post, or utility wire to attract mates and defend ...
The Red-headed Bunting has an extensive breeding range across Central Asia, stretching from eastern Turkey and Iran eastward through Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and into southern Russia. They undertake a significant long-distance migration,...
Least Concern
- The species name 'bruniceps' literally means 'brown head' in Latin, which is a perplexing descriptor for the strikingly red-headed male, likely referring to the less conspicuous female or an early misnomer. - Red-headed Buntings are known to hybridize with the closely related Black-headed Bunti...