Cirl Bunting vs Common Reed Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Emberiza cirlus

How to recognise a cirl bunting?

General appearance

Cirl buntings are small, stout birds, measuring around 15 cm long. They showcase distinct sexual dimorphism and exhibit a yellow and black facial pattern. The species also displays a greenish rump and a streaked brown back.

Male vs female

In cirl buntings, males and females differ in coloration. Males boast a vibrant combination of a black eye stripe and throat, greenish rump, and brightly colored chestnut back. They develop a prominent yellow moustache. In contrast, females and winter males are browner, lacking the vivid yellow and black. They retain the green rump but present a less striking streaked brown back.

Juvenile

Juvenile cirl buntings, similar to females, demonstrate a more subdued color palette. They have brownish chests with dark spotting and streaks which eventually fade to a paler, uniform color as they mature. Their backs and wings are also streaked brown. The young cirl buntings lack the characteristic black and yellow facial patterns seen in adults.

Size

5.9 - 6.5 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Cirl buntings are mostly found in south and east United Kingdom, preferring farmlands with low-intensity livestock or arable crops. They inhabit areas with hedges, scrub, or woodland edges for nesting.

Additional range

They can tolerate a range of climates from the Mediterranean to temperate Europe. Oddly, they have adapted to some coastal areas in England.

Range Map

What do cirl buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

The cirl bunting's natural diet consists mainly of insects and seeds. During the breeding season, they primarily consume invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, which are essential for feeding their young. Outside the breeding season, they rely more heavily on seeds from various wild plants like grasses and cereal crops, as well as small invertebrates.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, cirl buntings are known to consume common offerings such as black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and millet. They may also occasionally eat mealworms or suet if available, which can supplement their natural diet, especially during winter months when natural food sources are scarce.

What does a cirl bunting sound like?

The Cirl Bunting vocalizes a soft, melodic, and complex song, predominantly comprised of repeated phrases, each lasting 2-3 seconds. The song begins with rapid notes, slows down, and ends abruptly. Its call is an individual double note "pit-pioo" or a sharp "tsip." The song, mainly delivered by males throughout the breeding season, serves both territorial and mating purposes. Females have a simpler, quieter song. Call notes differ slightly between sexes and are used year-round for communication.

Song

Audio by Lawrence Clive Shove

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Common Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclus

How to recognise a common reed bunting?

General appearance

The Common Reed Bunting is a small bird species. It has a relatively hefty body, compared to a sparrow, with a sturdy beak. The bird is typically around 13.5-15.5 cm long, sporting a wingspan around 21-26 cm. Key colours are black, white, and a variety of browns. The plumage can be somewhat variable.

Male vs female

Male Reed Buntings tend to be more striking in appearance than their female counterparts. They possess a black head with white collar contrasted against a brown back, while females exhibit a more muted, uniform brown colour all over. The males lose their black colouring after the breeding season and resemble the females until the following spring.

Juvenile

Juvenile Reed Buntings look very similar to adult females. They have a mottled brown and cream appearance overall. Over time, they gradually develop into the more distinctive adult colourations as they mature.

Size

5.5 - 6.5 in/0.4 - 1.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The common reed bunting typically inhabits wetland areas, specifically near reed beds or marshes across Europe and parts of Asia.

Additional range

In winter, they migrate south. They adapt to live in farmland and gardens, and surprisingly, in urban areas.

Range Map

What do common reed buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

The common reed bunting primarily feeds on seeds and invertebrates. During the breeding season, it consumes insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which provide essential proteins for reproduction. Outside the breeding season, it shifts focus to seeds, particularly those of grasses, reeds, and other wetland plants. This shift coincides with the scarcity of insects and helps sustain the bird through colder months.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the common reed bunting is known to eat seeds such as sunflower seeds and millet. It may occasionally consume suet when available. These foods are readily accepted as they mimic some of the seeds it naturally consumes in the wild. Providing a mix of seeds at feeders can help attract reed buntings to gardens, particularly in winter when natural food sources are diminished.

What does a common reed bunting sound like?

The common reed bunting's typical song is a repeated, simple and plaintive "zrip-zrip-tsrrrr" or "tee-tee-teezzzzz," which is usually sung from a high perch. Its call notes include an incisive "tik," a harsh "tschak," and a soft "seep," often used in flight. Male reed buntings can also demonstrate more complex and variable song patterns during the breeding season. The vocalizations of the common reed bunting significantly contribute to the soundscape of wetland habitats.

Call

Audio by Artem Topchiy

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Cirl Bunting

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Common Reed Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Emberiza cirlus

General appearance

Cirl buntings are small, stout birds, measuring around 15 cm long. They showcase distinct sexual dimorphism and exhibit a yellow and black facial pattern. The species also displays a greenish rump and a streaked brown back.

Male vs female

In cirl buntings, males and females differ in coloration. Males boast a vibrant combination of a black eye stripe and throat, greenish rump, and brightly colored chestnut back. They develop a prominent yellow moustache. In contrast, females and winter males are browner, lacking the vivid yellow and black. They retain the green rump but present a less striking streaked brown back.

Juvenile

Juvenile cirl buntings, similar to females, demonstrate a more subdued color palette. They have brownish chests with dark spotting and streaks which eventually fade to a paler, uniform color as they mature. Their backs and wings are also streaked brown. The young cirl buntings lack the characteristic black and yellow facial patterns seen in adults.

Size

5.9 - 6.5 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about Cirl Bunting

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Common Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclus

General appearance

The Common Reed Bunting is a small bird species. It has a relatively hefty body, compared to a sparrow, with a sturdy beak. The bird is typically around 13.5-15.5 cm long, sporting a wingspan around 21-26 cm. Key colours are black, white, and a variety of browns. The plumage can be somewhat variable.

Male vs female

Male Reed Buntings tend to be more striking in appearance than their female counterparts. They possess a black head with white collar contrasted against a brown back, while females exhibit a more muted, uniform brown colour all over. The males lose their black colouring after the breeding season and resemble the females until the following spring.

Juvenile

Juvenile Reed Buntings look very similar to adult females. They have a mottled brown and cream appearance overall. Over time, they gradually develop into the more distinctive adult colourations as they mature.

Size

5.5 - 6.5 in/0.4 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about Common Reed Bunting

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How to tell the Cirl Bunting from the Common Reed Bunting

Visual differences

The Cirl Bunting (6-6.5 inches long) exhibits vibrant yellow and black facial markings with a greenish rump and streaked brown back in males, while females are browner. The Common Reed Bunting (5.3-6.5 inches) has a black head with a white collar in males, contrasting with its brown back, with females and juveniles being more uniformly brown. The Cirl Bunting is slightly more colorful, and the Reed Bunting displays stronger dimorphism during the breeding season, with males losing black coloration afterward. Both species have a similarly stout build and weight range.

Key differences and behavior

Cirl Buntings and Common Reed Buntings exhibit distinct behavioral and habitat preferences. Cirl Buntings prefer farmlands with hedgerows in southern UK, while Reed Buntings inhabit wetlands across Europe and Asia. Both species shift diet seasonally, relying on insects during breeding—Cirl Buntings consume beetles and caterpillars, whereas Reed Buntings eat wetland insects. In winter, Cirl Buntings often flock, feeding on seeds from wild plants, while Reed Buntings adapt to farmland and urban areas, seeking seeds from reeds and grasses. During courtship, Cirl Buntings sing from perches, whereas Reed Buntings perform display flights. Cirl Bunting nests are in low vegetation, while Reed Buntings nest in reeds near water. Both species visit bird feeders but have distinct habitat and courtship behaviors to observe in the field.