Emberiza lathami J.E.Gray, 1831

Taxonomic Classification

This species, currently classified as Emberiza lathami J.E.Gray, 1831, shows distinct sexual dimorphism in plumage and physical features.

Breeding Male Plumage

Breeding males have a prominent crest, a yellowish beak, and solid black body plumage that contrasts with the rufous flight feathers of their wings and tail.

Female Plumage

Females have a shorter crest, overall dull olive-brown plumage marked with dark brown streaks, cinnamon-colored fringes on their wing and tail feathers, and a grey beak.

Non-breeding Male and Subadult Plumage

Non-breeding males have buffish grey plumage, while subadults have black tips on their rufous primary coverts.

Phylogenetic Placement

This species was formerly placed in the monotypic genus Melophus, but DNA sequence-based phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated that it is nested within other species of the genus Emberiza.

Subspecies Status

The species is currently treated as monotypic, despite the fact that peninsular Indian populations have been assigned the subspecies name subcristata; no external morphological differences have been found to separate these populations from other populations of the species.

Karyology

Individuals of this species have 40 pairs of chromosomes.

Himalayan Distribution and Altitudinal Movements

In terms of distribution, crested buntings are found along the Himalayas in India, where they make altitudinal movements following seasonal changes.

Indian Distribution Range

They also occur across the plains of India south of the Himalayas, extending west to Gujarat and Rajasthan, as well as in parts of central and peninsular India.

Eastern Distribution Range

Their range extends east along the Himalayas into China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Habitat Preferences

They inhabit open thorny scrub, rocky dry hillsides, grassland, and savannah.

Winter Social Behavior

They become more social in winter, forming flocks that will sometimes forage alongside other finches, buntings, and larks.

Drinking Behavior

They visit small waterbodies during the morning and late afternoon.