Meadow Bunting

Characteristics

It is called "white cheeks" because its cheeks are white and conspicuous. In addition to the cheeks, the throat and eyebrows are also white. The eye line and under the cheeks are black, and the face looks like it's wearing a black and white mask. Females have a brown eyeline. The color of the body is brown and looks like a sparrow. They have longer tails than sparrows, and males are distinguished by their unique singing.

Calls

They perch on tree branches, treetops, and electric wires and chirp in a thin, high-pitched voice. He sings with unique verses such as "chupichupicchupi" and "churi churi churi". This voice has been popular since ancient times, with some sayings such as ``It's a stroke of wisdom.'' When it sings, its posture is looking diagonally upwards, puffing out its chest and opening its mouth wide. When you hear the chirping, look at the treetops and power lines and you might find this silhouette.

Ecology

Inhabit forests, farmlands, orchards, and riverbeds. It seems that you live in a slightly open place. They eat insects and plant seeds in grasslands and farmlands. They live alone or in small flocks, and do not form large flocks. It has a territory and breeds from spring to early summer. Occasionally parasitized by cuckoos.

Habitat

Agricultural land in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture

As I was walking along the farm road, I heard a unique song chirping from afar. When I looked around, I found a bunting singing with its chest puffed out on the electric wire. It seemed to be aware of me, and when I approached a certain distance, it moved away. Perhaps because there are many open farmlands and grasslands in Omuta City, I had the impression that I could hear the chirping of buntings wherever I went.

Asakawa, Hachioji City

The bunting was singing on the riverbed of Asakawa. After trimming the feathers, the body was curled up. In the thicket in front of the city hall, there are countless of them.

Video

The video of bunting.