Little Bunting

Schoeniclus pusillus

Malay name: Pipit-Belukar Kecil · Chinese name: 小鹀

Family: Old World Buntings · Status: Vagrant · Size: 12–13.5cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident from northern Scandinavia and eastwards across Russia. Winters in southern China, northern Indochina and northeastern Indian subcontinent, with extensive vagrancy records across areas such as Europe, Middle East and eastern Asia.

Identification

Small, compact bunting with a chestnut face. Ear-coverts with clearly defined dark rear borders, distinct buffy supercilium contrasting with greyish neck. Whitish underparts with defined dark streaking along flanks. Rustic Bunting is larger with more dark rufous streaking on flanks and lesser coverts and a small crest.

Habitat

Forest edge to open scrubland and gardens.

Behaviour

Often feeds on seeds and invertebrates on ground or low vegetation.