Black-headed Bunting (Immature)
Black-headed Bunting (Male spring)
Black-headed Bunting (Male transitional)
Black-headed Bunting (Immature)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Emberiza melanocephala
Arabic Name 
الدرسة سوداء الرأس
Kuwaiti name 
زرزور جبل
Family 
Length 
17.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 

Information

Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. This species has an unusual East-West migration pattern breeding in the Mediterranean and overwintering in South Asia. It is a very conspicuous bird on migration; up to 32 observed during passage in late August 2005.
Where in Kuwait 
It found in open areas with scattered vegetation, such as acacia groves, fields and other cultivated areas and has been recorded from Tuhla in SAANR, inland pools in the Jahra area and as far west as Al Abraq.
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and a population that is suspected to be in decline owing to changing agricultural practices and the removal of hedges and shrubs from parts of its range In Europe. It is migratory and its breeding grounds are situated along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, including Slovenia in the north and Albania and Italy in the south, as well as the Middle East and Iran in the east. A complete moult occurs on arrival at the wintering grounds in central and western India.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting during migration.