Red-headed Bunting
(Emberiza bruniceps)
Description:
A fairly large bunting with relatively long tail, and without white on outer rectrices. Smaller than Black-headed, with shorter, more conical bill. Male has rufous on head and yellowish-green mantle. Female when worn may show rufous on head and breast, and yellowish to crown and mantle.
Distribution:
Scarce passage migrant through the central and western areas, mainly in Ghizer, Hunza and Gilgit. Occurs in patches of bushes on pure steppes, semi-desert, vegetation and shrubs. Generally in drier terrain, warmer and more sunny open country.
Behavior:
Feeds mostly on ground, but also in shrubs and bushes. Singly and in pairs when breeding. In winter typically found in medium-sized flocks. Takes seeds throughout year; during breeding season, feeds mostly on invertebrates. Among plant material diet are seeds and other parts of goosefoot, and some grasses.
Photo Gallery:
Range & Occurrence:
Distribution Map of Red-headed Bunting in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )
Seasonal Occurrence of Red-headed Bunting
Resources:
Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)
*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.
