BUNTING

any of about 37 species of seed-eating birds of the Old World genus Emberiza and certain other birds of similar appearance. Most belong to the subfamily Emberizinae of the family Fringillidae (sometimes Emberizidae). Examples are the corn bunting (E. calandra) and the reed bunting (E. schoeniclus), both breeding commonly in temperate Eurasia. Notably tame is the striolated, or striped, bunting (E. striolata), distributed from northern Africa (where it is called house bunting) to India. Most members of the genus are recognized by their strong head patterns. Also in Emberizinae are the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), breeding circumpolarly in the far north, and the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) of the U.S. Great Plains. The name bunting is also given in the U.S. to species of Passerina, a genus of the allied fringillid subfamily Cardinalinae. Examples are the indigo bunting (P. cyanea) and the painted bunting (P. ciris ); the male of the latter species is the gaudiest birdred, green, and bluebreeding in the U.S. For ortolan bunting see ortolan; for yellow bunting see yellowhammer.