Rock Bunting vs Cirl Bunting

Rock Bunting

Emberiza cia

How to recognise a rock bunting?

General appearance

The Rock Bunting is a small bird, typically measuring around 17 centimeters in length and weighing between 20-30 grams. Its most distinguishing attributes are the streaked brown feathers on the back and wings, and a robust, pinkish-white, conical beak.

Male vs female

Male Rock Buntings are distinguished by their black and white striped head which is contrasted sharply by a bright yellow neck and underparts. In contrast, females have a subtler coloration with less distinctive head stripes, and a more subdued, earthy brown yellow underparts. These differences are much more pronounced during the breeding season.

Juvenile

Juvenile Rock Buntings resemble the nondescript coloration of the female, but with a more uniformly grey-brown plumage. They lack the distinctive head-stripes of the adults, and have duller underparts. Juveniles also have dark-colored bills initially, which gradually lightens and turns pink as they mature.

Size

6.3 - 6.7 in/0.7 - 0.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The rock bunting typically resides in mountainous regions of southern Europe and southeast Asia with a preference for dry, rocky areas and sparse vegetation.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, they can also be found in suburban areas, including gardens and parks with suitable food sources.

Range Map

What do rock buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

The rock bunting primarily feeds on seeds, insects, and grains in its natural habitat. Their diet includes a variety of small seeds such as those from grasses and herbs. They also consume insects, especially during the breeding season when protein is essential for chick development. Caterpillars, beetles, and ants are among their preferred insect choices.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, rock buntings are attracted to various types of seeds. They commonly consume sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. These foods provide a reliable and rich source of energy, particularly during colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Suet blocks may also attract rock buntings due to their high-fat content, offering a suitable supplement to their winter diet.

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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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Rock Bunting

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Cirl Bunting

Rock Bunting

Emberiza cia

General appearance

The Rock Bunting is a small bird, typically measuring around 17 centimeters in length and weighing between 20-30 grams. Its most distinguishing attributes are the streaked brown feathers on the back and wings, and a robust, pinkish-white, conical beak.

Male vs female

Male Rock Buntings are distinguished by their black and white striped head which is contrasted sharply by a bright yellow neck and underparts. In contrast, females have a subtler coloration with less distinctive head stripes, and a more subdued, earthy brown yellow underparts. These differences are much more pronounced during the breeding season.

Juvenile

Juvenile Rock Buntings resemble the nondescript coloration of the female, but with a more uniformly grey-brown plumage. They lack the distinctive head-stripes of the adults, and have duller underparts. Juveniles also have dark-colored bills initially, which gradually lightens and turns pink as they mature.

Size

6.3 - 6.7 in/0.7 - 0.9 oz

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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

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How to tell the Rock Bunting from the Cirl Bunting

Visual differences

The Rock Bunting (6.3-6.7 in, 0.7-0.9 oz) has a black-and-white striped head, a bright yellow neck, and a rufous body, along with a robust pinkish-white beak. The Cirl Bunting (5.9-6.5 in, 0.7-1 oz) displays a yellow and black facial pattern with a greenish rump and streaked brown back. Males show sexual dimorphism: Rock Bunting males have striking head stripes, while Cirl Bunting males boast a black eye stripe and yellow moustache. Juveniles and females in both species display more subdued, earthy tones.

Key differences and behavior

The Rock Bunting and Cirl Bunting exhibit distinct behavioral and habitat preferences. Rock Buntings thrive in mountainous regions with rocky terrains, occasionally found in suburban gardens, while Cirl Buntings prefer low-intensity farmlands and hedgerows in the UK. In terms of diet, both consume seeds and insects, but Rock Buntings focus more on high-fat seeds during winter, while Cirl Buntings adapt to seasonal availability of insects and seeds, often frequenting bird feeders. During breeding, Rock Buntings engage in singing and courtship displays from prominent perches, similar to Cirl Buntings, which also perform aerial displays. Both species construct cup-shaped nests, but Rock Buntings use lower shrubs or trees, whereas Cirl Buntings nest in low vegetation and hedgerows. Given their preference for diverse landscapes, Rock Buntings are more associated with rugged terrains, contrasting with the farmland-centric habitat of Cirl Buntings.