Bird Guide

Corn Bunting vs Ortolan Bunting

Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandra

Small49 gGrassland

This is an unusual bunting because the plumages of the sexes are similar in appearance, though the male is approximately 20% larger than the female. This large bulky bunting is 16–19 cm long, with a conspicuously dark eye and yellowish mandibles. Males lack any showy colours, especially on the head, which is otherwise typical of genus Emberiza. Both sexes look something like larks, being streaked grey-brown above with whitish underparts. The underparts are streaked over the flanks and breast, and the streaking forms gorget around the throat.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)

Ortolan Bunting

Emberiza hortulana

Small20 gShrubland

The ortolan bunting is 16–17 centimetres (6+1⁄4–6+3⁄4 inches) in length and has a wing-span of 23–29 cm (9–11+1⁄2 in). In appearance and habits it much resembles its relative the yellowhammer, but lacks the bright colouring of that species; the ortolan's head, for instance, is greenish-grey, instead of a bright yellow. The song of the male ortolan resembles that of the yellowhammer.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jeremy Karlsson · CC0
Photo: Sameer Shaik · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 41 more countries.

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Corn Bunting and Ortolan Bunting.