>> GENERAL >>>>>
– sparrow-sized passerine
– diurnal/nocturnal migrant
>> FLIGHT >>>>>
– size like Common Chaffinch, but rather long-tailed, which can, with practice, be an important clue
– flight quite hesitant and “nervous”, even over long distances, reminiscent of Meadow Pipit
– on migration often solitary, sometimes small groups of up to 3-5 birds
– at roosts sometimes in larger groups
– black head of males usually easy to recognise even under poor conditions (sight, distance)
– female/1W birds are difficult (especially if rare species as Rustic Bunting are to be excluded)
>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus
BIF0057, 09/10/2013, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze
– reddish brown upperside contrasting to white underside with some brown streaking
– contrasty face pattern with dark moustachial stripe
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus
BIF0059, 09/10/2013, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze
– fairly round wings
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus
BIF0199, 09/10/2013, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze
– slightly forked, medium-length tail
– rufous lesser coverts
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus
BIF0200, 09/10/2013, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze
– best features from below: dark moustachial stripes and white outer tail feathers
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus
BIF0056, 09/10/2013, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze
– underwing coverts white
– buffish flanks
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, M AD
BIF0055, 09/10/2012, Gülper See, Germany, Mathias Putze
– ID of male straightforward: black head and throat and white malar stripe
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, M AD
BIF0058, 09/10/2012, Gülper See, Germany, Mathias Putze
– wings often folded resulting in an undulating flight
>> SOUND ID >>>>>
– flight call a single, two millisecond, piercing downslur like tsee or tseet
– resembles European Penduline Tit social call, which is usually twice as long
– monophonic
– two, sometimes three distinctly weaker partials are visible in sonagram
– the slur is slightly variable
– less often birds utter monosyllable, harsh, typical bunting-like social calls
– the social call is medium variable, possibly due to age (plastic calls)
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call
BIF0933, 16/10/2013, Mähring, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call
Goldcrest Regulus r. regulus, flight call
BIF2266, 18/10/2008, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call
BIF2267, 10/12/2017, Werbeliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, social call
BIF2268, 24/08/2015, Burgliebenau, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, social call
BIF2269, 25/01/2017, Hohenroda, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis, flight call
Song Thrush Turdus p. philomelos, flight call
BIF2270, 22/09/2017, Werbeliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, social call, flight call
BIF2271, 22/09/2017, Werbeliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call, social call
BIF2272, 07/10/2017, Mannhausen, Patrick Franke
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, social call
BIF0934, 24/08/2015, Burgliebenau, Germany, Patrick Franke
>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>
House Sparrow (v)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (v)
Yellowhammer (v) (a)
Ortolan Bunting (a) (v)
Corn Bunting (v) (a)
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