Common Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclus
The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) is a common old world bunting found in 78 countries, weighing about 18 g. The common reed bunting, or simply reed bunting, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.
About the Common Reed Bunting
The common reed bunting, or simply reed bunting, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. This species breeds throughout Europe and much of the Palearctic region. While most individuals migrate south in winter, those in the milder south and west of the range are resident. It is a common sight in reedbeds, but also breeds in drier open areas such as moorland and arable land. For example, it inhabits purple moor grass and rush pastures, which are designated as a Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in the UK. It occurs on poorly drained neutral and acid soils of the lowlands and upland fringe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The common reed bunting is a medium-sized bird, 13.5–15.5 cm (5.3–6.1 in) long and weighing 10–28 g, with a small but powerful seed-eating bill. The male has a black head and throat, white neck collar and underparts, and a heavily barred brown back. The female is much duller, with a streaked brown head, and more barring underneath. The male's song is a repetitive srip.
What the Common Reed Bunting sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Oman, Bahrain.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Common Reed Bunting?
- The common reed bunting is a medium-sized bird, 13.5–15.5 cm (5.3–6.1 in) long and weighing 10–28 g, with a small but powerful seed-eating bill. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Common Reed Bunting?
- The Common Reed Bunting is a small sized bird weighing about 18 g.
- Where can you see a Common Reed Bunting?
- The Common Reed Bunting occurs in 78 countries, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland, France and Norway.
- What does a Common Reed Bunting sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Common Reed Bunting on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Common Reed Bunting?
- The Common Reed Bunting is most easily confused with the Yellowhammer, the Corn Bunting and the Cirl Bunting.
Learn the Common Reed Bunting for real
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