Reed Bunting - Hebridean Birds
Western Isles Birds - The reed bunting,s head, bill and throat are black, white moustached stripe, upperparts are reddish brown, striped black a nd the outer tail feathers are white.
The male Reed Bunting has a dark head and bib, which are black in the summer and dull brown in winter
The legs are dark brown. These lovely birds are being seen more regularly throughout The Western Isles.
 |
Reed Bunting at Dalbeg
Isle of Lewis |
|
 |
Reed Bunting
Western Isles Bird Sightings
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Click The Picture Below for Larger Images
| Bird Overview - Reed Bunting |
| Family |
|
Latin name |
|
Population |
|
Similar Species |
Yellowhammer
Lapland Bunting |
|
| Description |
The reed bunting,s head, bill and throat are black, white moustached stripe, upperparts are reddish brown, striped black a nd the outer tail feathers are white. The legs are dark brown.
The male Reed Bunting has a dark head and bib, which are black in the summer and dull brown in winter. A broad white collar is evident in the summer as is a thin white moustache (which can also be seen in winter, but is more buff coloured).
Females and winter males have a streaked head - the females are nondescript when compared to the males. . In flight the tail looks black with broad, white edges
|
|
| Size |
| 15-16 cm (6-6½") - House Sparrow sized |
|
| Habitat |
The reed buntings like wet vegetation, river banks with reeds, marshy areas. |
|
| Food |
Seeds and Insects .Adults eat wild flower and grass seeds, with a supplement of flies, beetles, caterpillars and spiders |
| Voice |
The reed bunting,s song is is a short stammering phrases. A hesitant series of notes.
|
|
| Breeding |
Reed Buntings build their nests on or just above the ground in thick vegetation. Nest are made from grass, reeds and twigs with a soft lining of moss. Reed Buntings breed from mid-April to August.
They lay up to 5 eggs, which are brown with heavy black spots and scrawls. When disturbed the parent often reacts by pretending to be injured. The young are fed almost entirely on insects until they are independent
|
|
| Misc. Info |
Reed buntings usually perch rather upright on a plant stem with tail at an angle or twisted to one side.. These birds in all plumages show the white tail feathers - they constantly flick their tails and wings nervously - their behaviour is a clue as to identity as sometimes their plumage makes them appear sparrow looking. . |
|
|
