The white-capped bunting or chestnut-breasted bunting is a species of bird in the family Emberizidae. It is found in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Its natural habitats are boreal forests, boreal shrubland, and temperate grassland.
Region
Central and South-Central Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from Iran and Turkmenistan east through Afghanistan and the mountains of Central Asia into northern Pakistan and northwestern India, with records in Nepal and adjacent regions. Prefers arid to semi-arid foothills, rocky valleys with scattered shrubs, open juniper or pistachio woodland, and steppe-like slopes. It is often found near dry riverbeds, field margins, and stony gullies with sparse cover. Outside breeding, it may descend to lower elevations and use agricultural edges and fallow lands.
Altitude Range
500–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the chestnut-breasted bunting, it inhabits dry hillsides and montane scrub across Central and South-Central Asia. Males are distinctive with a crisp white cap and contrasting face pattern. It feeds mainly on seeds outside the breeding season and switches to more insects when raising young. Its global status is currently not at risk, though local populations can fluctuate with habitat changes.
Male white-capped bunting
Temperament
wary and somewhat secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with slightly undulating flight
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose territories, typically in pairs. The nest is placed low in a shrub or on the ground concealed by tussocks or stones. Outside the breeding season it may gather in small flocks, sometimes mixing with other buntings and finches.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The song is a short, tinkling series of clear notes delivered from a shrub or rock outcrop. Calls include sharp tseep or tzik contact notes and a softer twitter in flight.
