Rock Bunting

Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Legendary bird: +50 points when you log it.

Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Rocky slopes (extreme vagrant).
Diet: Seeds.
Best time to spot: Grey head, black stripes.

When to look

A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Rare birds in the UK.

How rare is it?

The Rock Bunting sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Chestnut BuntingLegendary · Open woodland (extreme vagrant)
• Chestnut-eared BuntingLegendary · Fields (extreme vagrant)
• Cretzschmar's BuntingLegendary · Coastal scrub (extreme vagrant)
• Yellow-throated BuntingLegendary · Open woodland (extreme vagrant)
• Black-faced BuntingLegendary · Coastal scrub (very rare vagrant)
• Pine BuntingLegendary · Stubble (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

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