Tsushima 2, Buntings

The next most common birds in and around the fields of Naiin were the Buntings, Emberiza. They eat mainly seeds and all have conical-shaped bills. I love this season, when so many uncommon Buntings visit Japan

Siberian Black-faced Bunting, シベリアアオジ male

female

Little Bunting,コホオアカ

Yellow-breasted Bunting, シマアオジ

Yellow-browed Bunting,キマユホオジロ

Yellow Bunting,ノジコ The only one I saw

Migrating Buntings

It was past the beginning of May and I didn't expect much. The overcast sky didn't help. However, when the sun broke through, little birds started to come out. They were there! In small numbers, between the Sparrows and Greenfinches.  The Prize of the day was the male Yellow-breasted Bunting, シマアオジ, who came to perch right in front of me and stayed for 3 minutes.

The female was there, too

Another hotshot, despite the fact that the handsome male was absent...

Chestnut Bunting, シマノジコ

One of my favorites: Little Bunting, コホオアカ

Yellow-browed Bunting, キマユホオジロ

From here a few late add-ons

Migrating Buntings: Yellow-breasted Bunting, シマアオジ

 A popular bird with many photographers, they had quite an audience as they appeared briefly among other small birds in the same freshly ploughed field. Or came to rest on a small twig and watch the scene from there. 

Not in their prime summer plumage yet, they lacked the bright colors of last year's birds.

female?

Emberiza 1: Yellow-breasted Bunting, シマアオジ

My long-time dream came true.  For many years I wished to see more buntings. Some came to Fukuoka, but I rarely had a good view. This spring I searched the area again, without much luck. So, I decided to try my luck a bit further from home. PING PONG, here comes number 1: 

Yellow-breasted Bunting, シマアオジ (Emberiza aureola)

There were 2 males and 1 female, but hardly ever seen together. It pays to wait