Rock Bunting

Emberiza cia

Very rare vagrants from Southern Europe with 10 records for Britain from February-June & October.

Breeds across Southern Europe.

Breeding Males have chestnut upperparts, unmarked deep buff underparts, and a pale grey head marked with black striping.

Females are a washed-out version of the Male, with paler underparts, a grey-brown back and a less contrasted head.

Juveniles are similar to the Females, but with a streaked head.

The call is a sharp tseee, and the song is a twittering churrrr-chirrriiii-itt.