Common name: Black-headed Bunting
Scientific name: Emberiza melanocephala
Family: Emberizidae

Size:
Body length: 15–17 cm
Wingspan: 23–26 cm
Weight: 20–30 g

Identification:
A small but striking songbird with clear sexual dimorphism. The male shows a glossy black head, bright yellow underparts, and rich chestnut-brown upperparts. The bill is short and conical. Females and juveniles are much duller, with streaky brown upperparts and pale underparts, blending well with dry vegetation.

Habitat:
Open habitats such as agricultural lands, grasslands, scrubby hillsides, and fields with scattered bushes. Often associated with rural landscapes.

Status in Lebanon:
Common passage migrant. Regularly observed during spring and autumn migration across various regions, especially in open countryside and agricultural areas.

Diet:
Omnivorous — feeds mainly on seeds and grains, supplemented with insects, particularly during migration.

Behavior:
Often seen perched on shrubs or wires, singing from exposed positions. During migration, gathers in small flocks and may mix with other buntings. Flight is direct with slight undulations.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)