About the Ortolan Bunting
The ortolan, also called ortolan bunting, is a Eurasian bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a passerine family now separated by most modern scholars from the finches, Fringillidae. The genus name Emberiza is from Alemannic German Embritz, a bunting. The specific name hortulana is from the Italian name for this bird, ortolana. The English ortolan is derived from Middle French hortolan, "gardener".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Ortolan Bunting sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Luxembourg, Tunisia, Uganda, Malta, Sri Lanka, Jersey.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Golden-breasted BuntingEmberiza flaviventrisThe golden-breasted bunting is 15–16 cm long.
Rustic BuntingEmberiza rusticaThe rustic bunting is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae.
Rock BuntingEmberiza ciaThis bird is 16 cm in length.
Side by side: Corn Bunting vs Ortolan Bunting · Cirl Bunting vs Ortolan Bunting · Ortolan Bunting vs Rock Bunting
Learn the Ortolan Bunting for real
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