Cirl bunting

Male cirl bunting perched on bramble
Male cirl bunting

Cirl buntings are sparrow-sized buntings related to yellowhammers. Both sexes have olive-green rumps (contrasting with the chestnut rump of the yellowhammer). They can be elusive but males can be located when they sing - a brief, rapid, rattling trill.

Cirl buntings pair up during the spring and summer when they will raise two to three broods between April and September. They occur in small flocks during winter, sometimes with other seed-eating buntings and finches.

Once a common bird of farmland in southern England, cirl buntings were almost lost from the UK in the 20th century. However, positive land management by farmers has helped increase the population from 118 pairs in 1989 to almost 700 pairs in 2003.

Cirl buntings remain confined almost entirely to south Devon where they are found in areas of traditional farming with a mix of small arable and grassland fields.

What do cirl buntings need?

Cirl buntings need thick, tall hedges for nesting, a good supply of seed in winter, and grasshoppers and other invertebrates to eat in spring and summer. More...

Male cirl bunting perched on branch in winter

Helping cirl buntings

Cirl buntings will benefit from a mixed farm holding of pasture and arable fields with plenty of hedges and scrub. Find out how you can manage your farm for cirl buntings. More...