House Bunting
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 Adult, race saharae
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| Emberiza striolata Lichtenstein, 1822 |
The House Bunting, Emberiza striolata, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae.
It is a resident breeder of dry country from north Africa through south west Asia and into India. The House Bunting breeds around human habitation, laying 2-4 eggs in a nest in a hole in a wall or building. Its natural food consists of insects when feeding young, and otherwise seeds.
This bird is 14cm long, smaller than the similarly plumaged Rock Bunting. The breeding male has a chestnut body, and grey head with darker streaking. The female’s head has a brown tint to the grey, and more diffused streaking.
The nominate eastern race has stronger facial striping and a paler belly than the north African form E. s. saharae.
The song, given from a perch, is similar, but weaker than, that of the Chaffinch.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Emberiza striolata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Buntings and Sparrows by Byers, Olsson and Curson, ISBN 1-873403-19-4
