Emberiza chrysophrys Pallas, 1776

Taxonomic Classification

The yellow-browed bunting, with the scientific name Emberiza chrysophrys, is a passerine bird that belongs to the bunting family Emberizidae. Most modern taxonomists now separate this bird group from the finch family Fringillidae.

Etymology of Genus Name

The genus name Emberiza comes from the Old German word Embritz, which means a bunting. Its specific epithet chrysophrys originates from the Ancient Greek word khrusophrus, meaning golden-browed.

Breeding and Wintering Range

This species breeds in eastern Siberia, is migratory, and winters in central and southern China. It is a very rare wandering species in western Europe.

Breeding and Nesting Habits

Yellow-browed buntings breed within the taiga zone, and build their arboreal nests where they lay four eggs.

Diet

In the wild, adult yellow-browed buntings eat seeds, but they feed insects to their nestlings.

Size and Head Proportion

This bird is smaller than a reed bunting, and has a relatively large head.

Plumage of Body

Its upper parts are brown with heavy streaking, while its underparts are white with an orange tint on the flanks and fine dark streaks.

Beak Characteristics

The species has stout, pink beaks.

Breeding Male Plumage

Breeding males have a black head, with white stripes on the crown and along the moustache, plus a white throat. They also have a bright yellow eyebrow stripe.

Female and Juvenile Plumage

Females and young yellow-browed buntings have a less distinct head pattern, with brown head colouring instead of black.

Similar Species Distinction

They can be confused with little buntings, but they always have at least some yellow in the eyebrow, and at least a faint white stripe on the crown.