Corn Bunting
Miliaria calandra
Status: Extinct as a breeding species in Ireland. Formerly a widespread resident in lowland agricultural areas.
Conservation Concern: The European population has been evaluated as Declining, due to a moderate recent decline.
Identification: Slightly larger than Reed Bunting , with larger and more conical bill. Unlike the other three bunting species breeding in Ireland, male and female Corn Buntings do not have different plumages. Resembles juvenile Yellowhammer, having pale grey upperparts with some diffuse dark streaking. The underparts are off white with some indistinct grey streaking. Many birds have a small dark patch on the breast. Unlike Yellowhammer, Corn Buntings have a mainly pink bill.
Similar Species: Other Bunting species.
Call: Rather quiet, the most frequently heard call is a short "tsit". The song is very distinctive, accellerating series of notes - "tick tick zick-r-riss". Males usually sing prominent perches, such as telephone wires or from the top of a hedge or tree.
Diet: Corn Buntings feed mainly on seeds and grains. Chicks are fed insects.
Breeding: Breeds in agricultural areas in lowlands, preferring cereals and weedy sites. No longer breeds in Ireland, with the last recorded breeding taking place in the mid to late 1990's in County Mayo. The decline is considered to be mainly due to changes in agricultural practices tat the time, such as decline cereal cultivation and more intensive growing of silage. Around 10,000 pairs still breed in Britain, though the population has been declining.
Wintering: Gathers in small flocks (10 to 50 birds) at feeding sites, such as stubble fields.
Where to See: Only likely to occur to as a vagrant to Ireland. The last Irish record is from Cape Clear in 2006. Any potential sightings, especially in possible breeding habitat should be immediately reported to BirdWatch Ireland.
Mohosin Ali Angur
Sabdar Ali Market, Boro Bazar, Main Road, Meherpur, Bangladesh. Mobile: 01558-406298, E-mail: editor@mujibnagarkhabor.com
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