Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata)

Chestnut-eared bunting

 

The Chestnut-eared Bunting is a small, striking songbird in the bunting family (Emberizidae), native to East and Southeast Asia, with rare occurrences in parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Introduction

The Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata), a member of the Emberizidae family, is a small passerine bird that stands out due to its vivid plumage and distinctive vocalizations. Although it is primarily a bird of East and Southeast Asia, its migratory movements bring it occasionally to the Indian subcontinent, making it a subject of interest for birdwatchers and ornithologists across the region. This bunting’s presence in the Indian subcontinent, though sporadic, holds significant ecological and ornithological value.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Aves

• Order: Passeriformes

• Family: Emberizidae

• Genus: Emberiza

• Species: E. fucata

There are three recognized subspecies of the Chestnut-eared Bunting:

1. E. f. fucata – Found in eastern Russia, Korea, and northeast China.

2. E. f. arcuata – Found in central and southern China and northern parts of Southeast Asia.

3. E. f. kuatunensis – A localized form found in southeastern China.

The subspecies occasionally recorded in the Indian subcontinent is most likely E. f. arcuata, due to its migratory patterns.

Physical Description

The Chestnut-eared Bunting is a striking bird, measuring approximately 15–16.5 cm in length. It has a relatively long tail and a stout conical bill typical of buntings. Sexual dimorphism is evident, though subtle.

• Male Plumage: The adult male has a rufous crown with dark streaking, a prominent chestnut ear-coverts patch (hence the name), and a white supercilium that contrasts sharply with its darker head. The underparts are mostly whitish with bold blackish streaks on the breast sides and flanks. The back is brown with heavy dark streaks.

• Female Plumage: Females are duller overall with less distinct markings, but still show the chestnut ear patch. Juveniles resemble females but are even duller and more streaked overall.

These features make the Chestnut-eared Bunting fairly distinctive when seen in good light and close range.

Distribution and Range

While its core breeding range lies in East Asia, the Chestnut-eared Bunting is migratory. It breeds in temperate areas from the Russian Far East and northeast China to Korea and Japan. During the non-breeding season, it migrates to southern China, Taiwan, northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and occasionally the Indian subcontinent.

In India, it is a rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Sightings have been reported from:

• The northeastern states, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

• The Himalayan foothills, such as Uttarakhand and West Bengal (Darjeeling area).

• Rare vagrant sightings have occurred as far west as Delhi NCR and Haryana, likely due to unusual migratory drift.

The bunting prefers open scrublands, grassy slopes, and secondary growth habitats during its winter stay. It avoids dense forest and urban areas.

In the Indian subcontinent, the Chestnut-eared Bunting (Emberiza fucata) has been recorded in the following countries:

1. India

2. Nepal

3. Bhutan (rare/possible)

4. Bangladesh (very rare/accidental)

It is primarily a rare winter visitor or passage migrant in these regions, mostly seen in the Himalayan foothills and northeastern areas.

Habitat Preferences

During the breeding season, the Chestnut-eared Bunting inhabits mountain meadows, forest edges, shrublands, and open country with scattered bushes. It nests on the ground or low in vegetation.

In winter and during migration, it descends to lower elevations, favoring:

• Grassy fields and fallow lands

• Agricultural edges

• Shrubby clearings

• Bamboo thickets

In the Indian subcontinent, its preferred wintering habitats are similar — places where there is a mix of grass and scattered low vegetation, ideal for foraging and cover.

Behavior and Ecology

Foraging Behavior

The Chestnut-eared Bunting is primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds of grasses and weeds. However, during the breeding season, its diet includes insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers to meet the protein needs of nestlings.

In wintering areas like the Indian subcontinent, it forages mostly on the ground, either singly or in small groups, often in association with other buntings or sparrows. Its foraging is quiet and unobtrusive, and it can be difficult to detect unless flushed or seen in open ground.

Breeding Behavior

Breeding occurs from May to August in its main range. The Chestnut-eared Bunting is monogamous, with males defending territories and performing singing displays from prominent perches.

• Nest: A cup-shaped structure built low to the ground in dense grass or shrubs, made from dry grasses and lined with finer material.

• Clutch Size: Typically 3–5 eggs.

• Eggs: Pale with reddish or brown speckling.

• Incubation and Fledging: The female incubates the eggs for around 12–14 days. Chicks fledge about 10–12 days after hatching.

There is no breeding evidence in the Indian subcontinent, and its presence here is purely as a non-breeding visitor.

Vocalizations

One of the more memorable traits of the Chestnut-eared Bunting is its melodious song, especially during the breeding season. The song is a series of clear, whistled notes that can resemble a tinkling or bubbling trill: “tsee tsee trreee trreee” or “tchee-tchee-tu-tu”. The call is a sharp “tsik” or “tik-tik”, used as an alarm or contact call.

During migration and winter, including in India, it is usually quiet but may give occasional contact calls, especially when flushed.

Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Chestnut-eared Bunting is classified as Least Concern due to its wide range and stable population trends. However, like many grassland and scrubland birds, it is vulnerable to habitat loss.

In the Indian subcontinent, its conservation is more about habitat preservation than population management, due to its rarity and vagrant status. Protecting open grassy patches and scrublands is essential for the well-being of wintering or migratory individuals.

Significance in Indian Ornithology

While not a common bird in India, the Chestnut-eared Bunting is significant for several reasons:

1. Indicator of Migratory Patterns: Its rare appearances in India provide insights into migratory drift and shifts in East Asian flyways.

2. Birdwatching Rarity: Birders consider it a prized sighting, and reports of this species often spark local birding activity.

3. Ecosystem Role: As a seed disperser and insect predator, even temporary presence contributes to the local ecosystem.

Challenges and Threats

Globally and in the Indian context, the species faces several threats:

• Habitat degradation: Urbanization, agricultural intensification, and destruction of grassland habitats reduce suitable wintering grounds.

• Climate change: Changes in climate can alter migratory patterns and timing, potentially leading to mismatches in food availability.

• Disturbance: In places where birdwatching activity is intense, especially during rare sightings, repeated human presence may stress the bird.

Field Identification Tips (in the Indian Subcontinent)

Given the rarity of this bunting in India, correct identification is key:

• Look for the chestnut ear patch, white supercilium, and streaked underparts.

• Compare with similar species like the Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) and Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala). The Chestnut-eared is larger, with more contrast in head pattern.

• Use a good spotting scope or camera with a zoom lens to observe distant individuals without disturbing them.

Photographic Records and Citizen Science

Thanks to platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, several recent records of Chestnut-eared Buntings in India have been documented. These sightings, usually accompanied by photographs and audio recordings, help track the species’ sporadic presence.

Birders are encouraged to:

• Report sightings with accurate location and habitat details.

• Submit photographs and sound recordings where possible.

• Avoid flushing or harassing the bird to get better views.

Conclusion

The Chestnut-eared Bunting remains a fascinating example of the diversity and unpredictability of bird migration across Asia. Though not a regular inhabitant of the Indian subcontinent, its rare visits add richness to India’s avifaunal diversity. Each sighting is a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems across continents and the importance of preserving habitats even for those species that only appear briefly within our borders.

As grasslands and open country areas come under increasing pressure from development, maintaining these spaces will be key — not just for resident species but also for rare visitors like the Chestnut-eared Bunting that depend on them during critical phases of their life cycle.