Ortolan
The Ortolan or Ortolan Bunting is a member of the bunting family Emberizidae. It is around 6 inches in length with a wing-span of 9 to 11 inches. In appearance and habits it resembles its relative the Yellowhammer but it lacks the bright colouring of that species. It can be recognized by its olive-brown and black streaked upperparts, yellow-pink or peach-coloured belly contrasting with olive-grey head, nape and breast, yellow throat and eye ring, pink-orange bill and white outer tail feathers.
The Ortolan can be found in scrubland, open fields and farmland with sparse trees in most European countries and western Asia. It reaches as far north as Scandinavia and beyond the Arctic Circle and it is an uncommon vagrant in spring and particularly autumn to the UK. A massive decline is occurring in many countries in Europe. The main reasons for the decline are changes in agriculture and loss of habitat, human disturbance during the breeding season and hunting.
The Ortolan mainly feeds on seeds but beetles and other insects are also taken when feeding their young.
Date: 13th May 2018
Location: Červen Brjag to Nisovo, Pleven and Ruse Provinces, Bulgaria
The Ortolan can be found in scrubland, open fields and farmland with sparse trees in most European countries and western Asia. It reaches as far north as Scandinavia and beyond the Arctic Circle and it is an uncommon vagrant in spring and particularly autumn to the UK. A massive decline is occurring in many countries in Europe. The main reasons for the decline are changes in agriculture and loss of habitat, human disturbance during the breeding season and hunting.
The Ortolan mainly feeds on seeds but beetles and other insects are also taken when feeding their young.
Date: 13th May 2018
Location: Červen Brjag to Nisovo, Pleven and Ruse Provinces, Bulgaria
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Also in: Bulgaria
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