Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range and the population size is very large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 230,000-451,000 mature individuals, with 115,000-226,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 85% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 271,000-531,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. Europe holds most of the species' global range, but despite the data collated the population trend there is unknown (BirdLife International 2021). As no other data are available to derive trends, the global population trend for this species is unknown.
Trend justification
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This species favours dry barren habitats with some low-lying vegetation, on hillsides, rocky islands as well as on cultivated land, up to 1,300 m Asl, often near the coast (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997, Madge 2016). Nesting is reported from mid-April to mid-June. The nest is made by the female and it is placed on the ground against a rock or amongst the roots of a shrubby plant. The clutch, usually four to six eggs, is incubated mainly by the female. Hatching takes place after 12–14 days. Nestlings are reared by both parents. They leave the nest after 12–14 days. The species is migratory; breeding areas are vacated in July and August. Wintering areas are situated outside Europe, in north-eastern Africa (Madge 2016). The species forages almost entirely on the ground. The diet consists of small seeds, in particular of grasses and small invertebrates are also taken, in particular ants (Madge 2016).
There is no evidence for substantial threats.
Conservation Actions Underway
There are currently no known conservation measures for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Species factsheet: Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cretzschmars-bunting-emberiza-caesia on 13/01/2025.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2025) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 13/01/2025.