Rock Bunting (Non-breeding plumage)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Emberiza cia
Arabic Name 
درسة الصخور
Kuwaiti name 
زرزور جبل
Family 
Length 
16.0 cm
Least Concern

Information

Extremely rare vagrant. Very rarely recorded during spring migration. This is a mountain bird that may descend to lower elevations during winter conditions; the species’ nearest breeding areas are in the southern Zagros mountains of Iran.
Where in Kuwait 
Only 3 records for Kuwait with the last been recorded at SAANR in May 2009. It has a preference for open dry rocky mountainous areas.
In the world 
It has an extremely large range with a population that is increasing marginally. It breeds in northwest Africa, southern Europe east to central Asia, and the Himalayas. It is partially migratory, with northern populations wintering further south, mainly within the breeding range of the resident southern populations.
Local threats 
Indiscriminate shooting during migration.