ortolan bunting for 6 October 2025

Ortolan Bunting Latest News

The rare European bird,  the Ortolan Bunting, with just a single recorded sighting in Bengal, was spotted at Baruipur, situated in the southern periphery of the city, recently.

About Ortolan Bunting

• It is a small Palearctic migrant songbird.
• Scientific Name: Emberiza hortulana
• Distribution: The bird is found in most of Europe, with populations found as far west as Mongolia and as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Ortolan Bunting Habitat

• Its habitat consists of open, cultivated, or uncultivated areas with sparse woody vegetation, up to an altitude of 2500 metres locally.
• It absolutely avoids forested areas, including during migration. 
• The oceanic climate is not suitable for it.

Ortolan Bunting Features

• It is small, with a length of 6.3 to 6.7 inches and a wingspan of about 10 inches. 
• The males have a greenish-gray head along with a yellow throat, swooping mustache, and ring around the eye. 
• Its belly is brown and its back and rump are brown and streaked. 
• The females and juveniles are smaller, have spots on the belly, and are duller overall. 
• Like most buntings, the ortolan has a conical beak that’s good for cracking seeds.

Ortolan Bunting Conservations Status

It is classified as 'Least Concerned' under the IUCN Red List.

Source: TELE