Chestnut-eared Bunting
This is the Chestnut-eared Bunting – the Subtle Songster of Grasslands and Fields
Widespread across East Asia, from Siberia to Japan to Southeast Asia in winter, the Chestnut-eared Bunting may not grab attention at first glance — but look closer. With its soft brown plumage, bold facial stripes, and warm chestnut ear patches, it’s a masterclass in understated beauty.
These buntings thrive in open habitats, foraging for seeds and insects on the ground. Males sing delicate, melodic phrases from shrubs and grasses, adding their voice to the soundscape of rural landscapes.
As a key part of farmland and grassland ecosystems, they help control insects and disperse seeds. Modest, musical, and adaptable, the Chestnut-eared Bunting reminds us that even the quieter creatures hold an essential place in nature’s grand design.
