Cirl Bunting

This bird is both resident and widespread in the right habitat and the Arta Peninsula is one of its strongholds where they can be seen in good numbers. They tend to be seen in the arable fields around the base of the mountains. Good sightings through the pines at the entrance of the Boquer Valley can be achieved in addition to the valley itself on top of the scattered shrubs alongside Stonechats. The Cuber Reservoir in another site where you can get good views but this is a widespread bird.

Technical description

Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), is a passerine bird in the bunting family. It breeds across southern Europe, on the Mediterranean islands and in north Africa. It is a resident of these warmer areas, and does not migrate in winter. It is common in all sorts of open areas with some scrub or trees, but has a preference for sunny slopes. This bird is like a small yellowhammer, 15-16.5 cm in length (wing-span 22-22.5 cm) with a thick seed-eater’s bill. The male has a bright yellow head, with a black crown, eyestripe and throat and a greenish breast band across its otherwise yellow underparts. It also has a heavily streaked brown back. The female is much more like the yellowhammer, but has a streaked grey-brown rump and chestnut shoulders.