Corn Bunting vs Ortolan Bunting

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

Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Alarm call, call · Genêts, Manche, Normandy, France · CC0

Photo: Dorte Hummelshøj Jakobsen · CC BY 4.0

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

Recorded by Jeremy Karlsson · Barlingshult, Årjäng Municipality, Värmlands län, Sweden · CC0

Photo: Sameer Shaik · CC BY 4.0

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