Little Bunting Bird | 18 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

Recently, birdwatchers spotted a little bunting in Mount Abu, marking its first recorded appearance in Rajasthan.  

Key Points 

• Little Bunting Description and Habitat: 
  • About: 
    • Little bunting is a small passerine bird belonging to the bunting and sparrow family. 
    • Its breeding range spans the taiga of far northeast Europe and northern Asia. 
    • The bird migrates to southern China and northeast India during winter and typically inhabits agricultural areas, feeding on grains. 
  • Features: 
    • This is a small bunting, measuring only 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 inch) in length. 
    • It has white underparts with dark streaking on the breast and sides. 
    • With its chestnut face and white malar stripe, it resembles a small female reed bunting, but has black crown stripes, a white eye-ring, and a fine dark border to the rear of its chestnut cheeks. 
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern 
• Possible Role of Climate Change: 
  • Experts suggest climate change might have pushed the bird to Rajasthan, as it tends to avoid extremely cold conditions. 
• Sightings in Northern India: 
  • Little buntings have recently been spotted in regions like Gurugram, Chandigarh, and northern Punjab. 
  • These birds are typically seen in the subtropics of northern India, southern China, and northern Southeast Asia. 
• Significance for Conservation: 
  • The sighting emphasizes the importance of preserving forest areas and wetlands to support such migratory species.