Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is suspected to have a small to moderately small and declining population and as a result it is considered Near Threatened.
Population justification
The species is thought to have a moderately small population owing to its apparent rarity within its range. National population estimates include: c.100-10,000 breeding pairs, c.50-1,000 individuals on migration and < 50 wintering individuals in China; < 1,000 wintering individuals in Korea; c.100-10,000 breeding pairs, c.50-1,000 individuals on migration and < 50 wintering individuals in Japan and c.100-10,000 breeding pairs and c.50-1,000 individuals on migration in Russia (Brazil 2009). Overall, the global population may number c.10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be undergoing a slower decline of <10% owing to on-going habitat destruction.
Emberiza yessoensis breeds in Primorye in extreme south-east Russia, Honshu, Kyushu and formerly Hokkaido, Japan, Heilongjiang in north-east China, and in Mongolia, and it is a passage and/or winter visitor to North Korea (where it is also likely to breed), South Korea and the coast of eastern China. Observations have been absent in recent decades on Hokkaido and the Kuril Islands (Copete 2020). It is considered to be uncommon or rare in all parts of its range. Recent studies in the Amur region of the Russian Far East have however documented large populations north of the known range (Heim and Smirenski 2017). The population at Muraviovka Park was moreover estimated to number 756-2,855 breeding pairs in 2017 (Richter et al. 2020).
It breeds in reedbeds and edges of marshes along rivers and lakes, but in highlands also in wet meadows and drier grasslands. It winters in coastal marshes. It appears to favour areas of shorter reeds and taller grass, as between 1998 and 2010 the population increased by 94% at Hotokenuma, Aomori Prefecture, Japan as reed height decreased and grass height increased (Mikami and Takahashi 2013). Breeding occurs from May to July. Seeds constitute a major part of its diet but it will take insects and berries in the summer.
It was reportedly more abundant a century ago. While the reason for its apparent decline is not known it is presumably declining still because of the loss and degradation of wetland habitat within its breeding range, and the destruction of coastal marshes in its Asian wintering grounds. Droughts and overgrazing are further threatening the Eastern Mongolian breeding range (Copete 2020). In Russia, dam constructions and frequent fires also reduce available wetland habitats. However, one study found higher number of breeding pairs in recently burned wet meadows (Heim et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Underway
None are known.
Text account compilers
Fernando, E.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Calvert, R., Heim, W., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ochre-rumped Bunting Emberiza yessoensis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ochre-rumped-bunting-emberiza-yessoensis 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.