A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Emberiza cirlus
The cirl bunting is like a small yellowhammer, 15-16.5 cm in length (wing-span 22-22.5 cm) with a thick seed-eater's bill. The male has a bright yellow head, with a black crown, eyestripe and throat, and a greenish breast band across its otherwise yellow underparts, and a heavily streaked brown back. The female is much more like the yellowhammer, but has a streaked grey-brown rump and chestnut shoulders. (Wikipedia)
It breeds across southern Europe, on the Mediterranean islands and in north Africa. It is a resident of these warmer areas, and does not migrate in winter. It is common in all sorts of open areas with some scrub or trees, but has a preference for sunny slopes. Spotted in a meadow at mount Chortiatis (Thessaloniki, Greece)
Greek common name: Σιρλοτσίχλονο
No Comments