Meadow Bunting

Emberiza cioides (Brandt, 1843)

		male female
2017-03-05 Influence of rivers Kashka-suu and Ala-archa, Chuy region 2017-03-05 Influence of rivers Kashka-suu and Ala-archa, Chuy region	© Sergey Toropov © Sergey Toropov

Biology

Common resident, in winter nomadic to a short distance. Inhabits the mountain rocky slopes covered with grass, shrubs and isolated trees, at altitudes of 1000-1500 m. In spring migrants are observed in March – mid-April. In breeding sites appears in April. Breeds in separate pairs. Nest is built on the ground, in the bush or tall grass; from the dry grass stems and leaves; and is lined with hair. Clutch of 4-6 eggs is laid in mid-May to mid-July. Probably rears two broods per season. The autumn migration invisible, in non-breeding areas observed from the early September.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Издательство Уральского университета, 2000.