Cirl Bunting Bird Facts (Emberiza cirlus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Cirl Bunting is a small, colourful bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have a bright yellow head with a black crown, eye stripe, and chin. Their back is chestnut-brown, contrasting with an olive-green rump and yellow underparts.

Females, with a brown-streaked body and a yellowish wing bar, aren't as colourful as males. Both sexes have a grey bill and pink legs. Juveniles resemble females but with heavier streaking.

Size

Length

15cm to 16.5cm

Wingspan

22cm to 25cm

Weight

20g to 25g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Yellow Green Brown

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Cirl Bunting can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Cirl Bunting can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Cirl Bunting is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Cirl Buntings are found in southern Europe, from Portugal to Greece, and parts of North Africa. They prefer warm, dry climates with open farmland, hedgerows, and scattered trees.

In the UK, their range is restricted to coastal areas of Devon and Cornwall, with some reintroduced populations in other southern counties. They are generally sedentary, with only short-distance movements in winter.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Cirl Bunting. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Andorra Austria Bulgaria Croatia France Gibraltar Greece Italy Macedonia Morocco Portugal Romania Slovakia Spain Switzerland The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Germany Hungary Liechtenstein Montenegro New Zealand San Marino Serbia

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Belgium Czechia Denmark Egypt Iran Ireland Malta Netherlands Poland Ukraine

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 65

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Cirl Bunting displays moderate agility, evident in its quick, jerky hops whilst foraging and its ability to navigate hedgerows and low trees. Its aerial displays during breeding season also suggest a fair degree of manoeuvrability.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small songbird weighing only 20-25 grams, the Cirl Bunting possesses limited strength. Its diet of insects, seeds, and small invertebrates doesn't require significant physical power.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Cirl Bunting demonstrates good adaptability, particularly in its seasonal diet shift from insects in summer to seeds in winter. Its ability to thrive in mixed farmland environments and its successful response to conservation efforts also indicate adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, male Cirl Buntings do exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season, engaging in aerial displays and defending their chosen areas. However, they are not known for exceptional aggression compared to other bird species.

Endurance 55

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Cirl Bunting shows moderate endurance. As a partially migratory species capable of short-distance movements, it possesses some stamina. Its ability to raise multiple broods in a season (up to three) also suggests a fair level of endurance, though it's not known for exceptional long-distance flights or extreme physical feats.

Diet

Cirl Buntings have a varied diet that changes seasonally. In summer, they primarily feed on insects and spiders, which are crucial for raising chicks. Grasshoppers and locusts are two of the most common prey items.

During winter, they switch to seeds from grasses and cereals, foraging in stubble fields and weedy areas.

Behaviour

Cirl Buntings are often seen perched on top of hedges or low trees, singing their distinctive song. They forage on the ground in small groups, moving with quick, jerky hops.

During the breeding season, males become territorial and engage in aerial displays to attract mates.

Vocalisation

The Cirl Bunting's song is a distinctive, rattling trill often described as 'zizi-zizi-zizi', giving rise to its alternative name. Males sing from prominent perches, especially during the breeding season. Their call is a soft 'tsip' or 'zit', often given in flight.

Their songs are loud, and can often be heard up to half a kilometre away.

Nesting & Breeding

Cirl Buntings breed from late April to August. Males establish territories and attract females with their distinctive song and display flights.

Nests are built low in dense vegetation, often in hedges or gorse bushes. Females construct a cup-shaped nest of grass and moss lined with fine roots and hair. They typically lay 3-4 eggs, which are pale blue or grey with dark markings.

Incubation lasts about 12-13 days and is carried out solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 12-13 days. Pairs often raise two or three broods per season.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

Once widespread in southern England, Cirl Buntings experienced a severe decline in the 20th century.

Conservation efforts, including targeted agri-environment schemes, have helped stabilise and increase their population in recent years, particularly in Devon.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

4,970,000 - 9,300,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Cirl Buntings in hedgerows and field margins in southern England, especially Devon and Cornwall.
Listen for their distinctive 'zizi' call, which gives them their alternative name.
Observe feeding areas near mixed farmland with cereal crops and grassland.
Visit known breeding sites in spring and summer for the best chance of sightings.
In size and basic appearance resembling a finch but with a longer tail, the male can often be seen singing from the tops of bushes or heard vocalising amongst the trees, requiring patience and an eagle’s eye to spot!

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Zizi Bunting

Family:

Emberizidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

6.1 years ^[4]

Predators

Cirl Buntings are preyed upon by various birds of prey, including Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as domestic cats in areas close to human habitation.

Did You Know?

Cirl Buntings are the UK's rarest resident bunting species.
They were once common across southern England but declined by 97% between 1970 and 1989.
Their recovery in Devon is considered one of the UK's most successful farmland bird conservation projects.

References

1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Emberiza cirlus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22720888A132004013.
View source
3
report, 2015: EBCC
4
journalArticle, 2006: Moller, Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds, J Evol Biol, 19:682-689
View source