Corn Bunting

A chunky, drab bunting often called a 'fat sparrow'. It is the largest European bunting and has a thick bill and streaked grey-brown plumage. It lives in open agricultural land, especially cereal crops and hay meadows. It lacks bright colors but is a quintessential bird of the European countryside.

Corn Buntings are famous for a song that sounds like a jangling bunch of keys. The male sings from a prominent perch like a fence post or bush. He often lets his legs dangle during short song-flights. They are unusual because a single male may have several females nesting in his territory. In winter, they form large flocks to find seeds.