Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. Although the population size is unknown, it does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion. 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 13,800-40,300 mature individuals, with 6,900-20,200 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021). However, Europe comprises only approximately 2% of the species' global range, so it is not considered advisable to extrapolate from this marginal population to produce a global population estimate. In Europe, the trend for this species is not known (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 uses dry, rocky mountainsides, ravines and upland plateaux, with grassy clumps and weedy vegetation. It tends to avoid trees but tolerates broken bushy cover. It forages on seeds and shoots of dry-country plants. During the breeding season the chicks are fed small invertebrates, in particular weevils, other beetles, bugs, ants, grasshoppers and snails (Madge 2016).The species's breeding season starts in April. The nest is built by the female and is well hidden under vegetation or a sheltering boulder, on the ground. Usually three to six eggs are laid between April and late May. The species is migratory with the majority of birds wintering in India (Madge 2016).
Overgrazing of sparse vegetation by domestic animals may lead to habitat degradation (Madge 2016).
Conservation Actions Underway
There are currently no known conservation measures for this species within its European range.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species within its European range.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/grey-necked-bunting-emberiza-buchanani on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.