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Gray Bunting

Emberiza variabilisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Breeding Location:

Bushes, shrubs, and thickets, Forest



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Accidental in North America



Egg Color:

White with red gray spots



Number of Eggs:

5



Incubation Days:

11 - 13



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Lined with fine materials., Grasses and moss.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Gray Bunting Breeding Male: Medium sized, dark gray bunting with black streaks on back, shoulders, and underparts. Undertail coverts are white. Heavy, pink bill with black tip, culmen. Pink legs and feet. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with periods of wings pulled to sides. Secretive.

Range and Habitat

Gray Bunting: Native of Asia; rare visitor to western Aleutians. Preferred habitats include thickets in coniferous and mixed forests in hills and mountains.

Breeding and Nesting

Gray Bunting: Five white eggs spotted with red gray are laid in a nest made of grass and moss, and lined with finer grass, rootlets, and hair. Incubation ranges from 11 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Gray Bunting: Eats primarily seeds but takes some berries and insects, especially in summer months; forages in trees, bushes, and on the ground.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Gray Bunting: Song is a loud, flutelike "houee-tseewee-tseewee." Call is an abrasive "zhiik."

Similar Species

Gray Bunting: Little Bunting has gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, and brown patches on head.

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Family Buntings, Finches, Sparrows (Emberizidae)_blue
Species Emberiza variabilis
Length5.5 - 6.5 Inches
Wingspan8.875 Inches

Gray Bunting

Gray Bunting Breeding Male: Medium sized, dark gray bunting with black streaks on back, shoulders, and underparts. Undertail coverts are white. Heavy, pink bill with black tip, culmen. Pink legs and feet. Short flights, alternates rapid wing beats with periods of wings pulled to sides. Secretive.

● Song: "houee-tseewee-tseewee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gray Bunting: Eats primarily seeds but takes some berries and insects, especially in summer months; forages in trees, bushes, and on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Gray Bunting: Five white eggs spotted with red gray are laid in a nest made of grass and moss, and lined with finer grass, rootlets, and hair. Incubation ranges from 11 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Gray Bunting: Little Bunting has gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, and brown patches on head.

Flight Pattern

Swift flight with rapid wing beats alternating with brief periods of wings pulled to sides.
Gray Bunting Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Gray Bunting: Native of Asia; rare visitor to western Aleutians. Preferred habitats include thickets in coniferous and mixed forests in hills and mountains.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationAccidental in North America
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.5 - 0.7 Ounces