Birds Of Japan 21:Chestnut Eared Bunting(Emberiza fucata)-ホオアカ

Birds Of Japan 21:Chestnut Eared Bunting(Emberiza fucata)-日本の野鳥21:ホオアカ野鳥図鑑野鳥写真 Japan Birds Encyclopedia Bird Watching Wild Life Photography Avian

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. The genus name Emberiza is from Old German Embritz, a bunting.It is 15 to 16 cm in length. The plumage is mostly brown with dark streaks. The male has a grey crown and nape with dark streaks, chestnut ear-coverts and bands of black and chestnut across the breast. There is a rufous patch on the shoulders and the rump is also rufous. Females are similar to the males but duller with a less distinct head and breast pattern. First-winter birds are plainer but show warm brown ear-coverts and have an obvious ring around the eye.

Chestnut-eared Bunting ホオアカ

The Chestnut-eared Bunting is a small grassland bird found in open fields, meadows, farmland edges, reed beds, and grassy hillsides in Japan. It has a warm brown back, pale underparts, a striped head pattern, and distinctive chestnut-colored cheek patches that give the bird its name.

During the breeding season, males often sing from grass stems, shrubs, or exposed perches. This bunting feeds mainly on seeds and small insects, moving quietly through grasses and low vegetation while remaining alert and well camouflaged.