The chestnut-eared bunting, also called grey-headed bunting or grey-hooded bunting, with the latter name also used for grey-necked bunting, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.
Region
East and South Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds across the Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. In winter it moves south to southern China, Taiwan, northeastern India, Bangladesh, and mainland Southeast Asia. It favors open habitats such as weedy agricultural land, grassy riverbanks, scrubby edges, and fallow fields. Occurs in lowlands and foothills and can be found near human-modified landscapes where seed resources are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the grey-headed or grey-hooded bunting, it is a small Emberizidae passerine notable for its chestnut ear patches and grey hood in males. It breeds in temperate East Asia and winters farther south, often forming small flocks in open farmland and weedy fields. During the breeding season it switches from mostly seeds to more insects to feed nestlings.
Emberiza fucata MHNT
Temperament
wary but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating flight
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs during breeding, with males singing from exposed perches. Nests are low in shrubs or grass tussocks, built from grasses and lined with finer material. Outside the breeding season it gathers in small to medium-sized flocks, often mixing with other seed-eating birds in fields.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a short, tinkling series of clear, metallic notes delivered from a perch. Calls include sharp chips and a dry ticking note, often given in flight.
