Birds Of Japan 40:The meadow bunting (Emberiza cioides) ホオジロ

Birds Of Japan 40 The meadow bunting (Emberiza cioides) 日本の野鳥ホオジロ Meadow Bunting ホオジロ Scientific name: Emberiza cioides The Meadow Bunting

Meadow Bunting ホオジロ Scientific name: Emberiza cioides The Meadow Bunting is a familiar bird of Japan’s open countryside. In Japanese it is called ホオジロ / Hōjiro, meaning “white cheek,” because of the clear pale cheek pattern on the face. The male has a strong black-and-white face pattern, warm brown upperparts, and brownish underparts. The female is softer and duller, with less contrast on the head. Both sexes have a slim bunting shape, a seed-eating bill, and a longish tail. In Japan, the Meadow Bunting is commonly seen in grasslands, farmland, riverbanks, forest edges, open hillsides, and satoyama countryside. It often perches on wires, bushes, reeds, or tall grass stems. During the breeding season, males sing from exposed perches with a bright, repeated song.

Habitat: Grassland, farmland, riverbanks, forest edges, open hillsides, satoyama
Range in Japan: Widespread across Japan in open and semi-open habitats
Diet: Seeds, grasses, grains, insects, spiders, and small invertebrates
Season: Year-round resident in many areas; some seasonal movement in colder northern regions
Size: About 16–17 cm
Nesting: Cup-shaped nest built low in grass, shrubs, or ground vegetation
Behavior: Male sings from exposed perches; often seen in pairs or small groups
Conservation: Common and widespread, but healthy grassland and satoyama habitats are important

Meadow Bunting ホオジロ

The Meadow Bunting is a familiar bunting often seen in open fields, grasslands, farmland edges, riverbanks, scrubby hillsides, and woodland margins in Japan. It has warm brown upperparts, pale underparts, a long tail, and a bold black-and-white head pattern, especially noticeable in the male.

This bird often perches on shrubs, wires, grass stems, or exposed branches while singing a clear, repeated song. It feeds mainly on seeds and small insects, moving quietly through grasses and low vegetation. Its simple beauty and bright song make it one of Japan’s classic countryside birds.