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What is the name of this bird?

British Birds - Buntings, Sparrows and Starlings

The buntings of Europe, Asia and Africa are related to American sparrows. Most have simple, unmusical but distinctive songs. Starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. Test your knowledge in the following Natural History quiz on buntings, sparrows and starlings.

1 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Paco Gomez

Lapland Bunting

Reed Bunting

Cirl Bunting

House Sparrow

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Emberiza cirlus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Best looked for in fields and hedges of south Devon.
Through the efforts of conservation organisations and landowners, the population has increased from 118 pairs in 1989 to 700 pairs in 2003.

2 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Smalljim

Dunnock

Snow Bunting

Lapland Bunting

Common Starling

Group: Accentors
Binomial: Prunella modularis
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Prunellidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Also known as Hedge Sparrow
Intricate light and dark brown markings
Adults have some grey on their heads but this is absent in young birds
Its movements are altogether more agitated than house sparrows

3 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.fws.gov/

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Common Starling

House Sparrow

Snow Bunting

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Plectrophenax nivalis
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Winter Visitor
Globally breed around the arctic from Scandinavia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland and migrate south in winter.
During the last ice age, it was widespread throughout continental Europe.

4 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Alan Vernon

Yellowhammer

Common Starling

Lapland Bunting

House Sparrow

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Emberiza citrinella
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Common in all sorts of open areas.
Often seen perched on top of a hedge or bush, singing its high-pitched song.
The familiar song of the male is often described as 'A little bit of bread and no cheese'.

5 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Lip Kee

Cirl Bunting

Reed Bunting

House Sparrow

Yellowhammer

Group: Sparrows
Binomial: Passer domesticus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Once common throughout the UK but now in decline in many areas
The size of the black bib determines the bird's dominance within its community
It is normally found wherever there is a concentration of people

6 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.fws.gov/

Reed Bunting

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Lapland Bunting

Dunnock

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Calcarius lapponicus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Winter Visitor
Spends most of its time on the ground and often seen in small flocks.
Wintering birds are mainly found along the east coast of the UK.
Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coasts usually hold the most birds.

7 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Emberiza Schoeniclus

Common Starling

House Sparrow

Dunnock

Reed Bunting

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Emberiza schoeniclus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Usually delivers its song from a perch at the top of a tree or bush.
The nest is a cup of grass and moss built on the ground.
Fine grasses and hair are used to line the cup.

8 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Matthieu Gauvain

Snow Bunting

Corn Bunting

Dunnock

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Group: Buntings and American Sparrows
Binomial: Miliaria calandra
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
The song of the male is a repetitive metallic sound, usually likened to jangling keys.
Males play only a small role in parental care; they only feed the chicks when they are over half grown.

9 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.laitche.com/

House Sparrow

Common Starling

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Lapland Bunting

Group: Sparrows
Binomial: Passer montanus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
The UK population has suffered a severe decline, estimated at 93 per cent between 1970 and 2008.
Untidy nest usually built in a natural cavity.
Shy and not associated with man.