The Cape bunting is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across southern Africa in rocky hillsides, dry scrub, fynbos margins, and semi-arid savanna. It favors broken terrain with scattered shrubs, boulders, and low trees, and is common in the Karoo and along mountain foothills. It also uses farm edges, road cuttings, and occasionally gardens near suitable natural habitat. Proximity to water is not essential, but it readily visits water points in arid zones.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Cape bunting is a small, ground-oriented passerine known for its bold black-and-white head stripes and warm rufous underparts. It often forages in pairs on rocky slopes and dry scrub, flicking its tail as it moves. Males deliver a bright, tinkling song from prominent rocks or low shrubs, especially at dawn.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. The nest is a small cup placed low in a shrub, grass tussock, or among rocks, with 2–3 eggs typical. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, metallic, tinkling series of notes delivered from exposed perches like rocks or low bushes. Calls include thin tsip notes and sharper alarms when disturbed.
Plumage
Brown to grey-brown upperparts with fine streaking, boldly striped head with white supercilium and black crown and malar stripes, and warm rufous underparts with a greyer breast.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass and weed seeds, supplementing with insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and ants, especially during the breeding season. It will also take small fruits and occasionally green plant matter. Forages by hopping on the ground, picking items from bare soil or among stones, and sometimes gleaning low vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Most often feeds on rocky slopes, open scrub, and along tracks or farm edges where seeds are abundant. In very arid areas it visits water points and shaded edges during the heat of the day.
