The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain Keith E. Vinicombe

Ren Hathway

ed-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps tion as genuine vagrants to northwest Europe, breeds in the steppe and semi-desert as spring overshoots, reversed migrants in Rregions of Central Asia, from the autumn or as irruptive vagrants, for example northern and southern ends of the Caspian Sea Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii, east through Kazakhstan to the Altai Mountains Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus, White- and into the western part of the Xinjiang Uygur winged Melanocorypha leucoptera and Black Autonomous Region, China. To the south, the Larks M. yeltoniensis, Pied Oenanthe pleschanka breeding range extends into eastern Iran, and Desert Wheatears Oe. deserti,Sykes’s Afghanistan and northern Pakistan (BWP). In Warbler Hippolais rama, Asian Desert Warbler autumn, it migrates south or southeast to Sylvia nana, Isabelline Lanius isabellinus and winter in west-central India. Given its popu- Long-tailed Shrikes L. schach and the Central larity as a cagebird in western Europe during Asian form of Southern Grey Shrike L. merid- the mid/late twentieth century, its status as a ionalis pallidirostris. In addition, three more- British bird has long been the subject of contro- widespread species, which have a similar versy and this paper attempts to summarise the southeasterly orientation to their migration current position. from eastern Europe to the Indian subconti- nent, are regular visitors to these shores, some- A potential vagrant? times in significant numbers: Red-breasted Is Red-headed Bunting a likely vagrant to Flycatcher Ficedula parva, Rose-coloured Britain? A number of sympatric species from Starling Sturnus roseus and, most relevant Central Asia, some of which have a similar to this discussion, Black-headed Bunting migration regime, are accepted without ques- E. melanocephala.

540 © British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain

Given that Red-headed Bunting is a long- there was no marked upsurge in records of distance migrant with a distinct north or north- Black-headed Bunting during the 1950s, 1960s west orientation to its spring migration, and and 1970s (see below); the species maintained a south or southeasterly orientation in autumn, it fairly steady pattern of occurrence, averaging should be regarded as a likely vagrant to Britain; about three records a year, though increasing in fact, it would be astonishing if it had never during the 1990s. Fig. 1b suggests that, latterly, occurred here. A comparison of its occurrence there may have been a seven-to-ten year cyclical patterns with those of Rose-coloured Starling occurrence pattern. Some records have clearly and Black-headed Bunting, both of which are involved escapes from captivity but, despite the particularly prone to overshooting in spring, is occasional ‘suspect’ individual, records of this relevant. species are generally accepted as wild birds. Like Rose-coloured Starling, Black-headed Rose-coloured Starling Bunting is predominantly a spring overshoot, Until the 1960s, British records of this species with most records in late May and early June were also treated with suspicion, many birds (figs. 2 & 3), and a smaller peak in numbers being considered likely escapes from captivity. from late August to mid October, which is con- In more recent times, such doubts have evap- sistent with the concept of reverse migration by orated and it is now regarded as a regular late- first-winters in autumn. Of all records from spring overshoot (partly irruptive), with most 21st August to 14th October (the first and last occurring in late May and June, and many dates for the arrival of presumed first-winter remaining during July and August. There is a birds), 53% were variously described as ‘female’, second wave of arrivals from late August to ‘juvenile’, ‘first-winter’ or ‘female/first-winter’, October, consisting mainly of reversed-migrant compared with the overall percentage of juveniles, a few of which overwinter (Dymond females or first-winters of just 11%. et al. 1989). 25 Black-headed Bunting (a) The first British record 20 was a female obtained at Brighton, East Sussex, on 15 3rd November 1868, but the dates of both this and the third record, at Dun- 10 fermline, Fife, on 5th November 1886, do not 5 match current occur- rence patterns. Taking 0 the Hastings Rarities 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 02 affair into consideration, the second British record, 25 one caught at Radcliff- (b) on-Trent, Nottingham- 20 shire, in July 1884 (or possibly the fourth for Britain, on Fair Isle, Shet- 15 land, on 21st September 1907), might be a better 10 candidate as a first for Britain. There were three 5 further records before 1950 and there have been 0 more than 170 since (fig. 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 02 1b). Unlike the case with Fig. 1. Annual totals of Red-headed Emberiza bruniceps (a) and Black-headed Red-headed Bunting, Buntings E. melanocephala (b) in Britain, 1930–2005.

British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 541 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain

If wild Red-headed Buntings do occur in with additional records from Evans (1994) and Britain, it would seem reasonable to assume other sources. Male Red-headed Buntings are that their arrival patterns would be similar to distinctive and easily identified so the quality of those of Rose-coloured Starling and Black- the data is considered to be high, although headed Bunting, i.e. with a variable late some of the records have not been properly spring/early summer peak, relating principally assessed (conversely, some Red-headed to overshooting males, and a smaller secondary Buntings were never reported, particularly in peak of first-winters in autumn. Black-headed their ‘heyday’ in the 1960s and 1970s, when Bunting breeds much closer to Britain than many, particularly those seen inland, were Red-headed, from the Middle East into Asia simply dismissed as escapes). Minor, around much of the Black Sea and into the Balkans, former Yugoslavia and Italy. Its Pre-1960 range is to the south and west of that of Red- The first British Red-headed Bunting was a headed Bunting and one might predict that, on male on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, on 19th June average, Red-headed Buntings should turn up a 1931. A gap of 19 years followed before the next little later and slightly farther north than Black- records, in 1950: in Lerwick, Shetland, on 8th headed in spring. June, and on Fair Isle on 19th–22nd September (both males). During the 1950s, however, the Occurrence patterns of Red-headed Bunting species became an annual visitor, averaging Red-headed Bunting was last dealt with by almost four records per year (fig. 1a). This BBRC in 1961 (Brit. Birds 55: 582–583), so the abrupt and striking increase was due partly to data used as the basis for the following analysis the establishment of the coastal bird observa- were obtained mainly from county bird reports, tory network, which was responsible for 22 of the 36 records during that 80 decade. Records were fairly (a) 70 evenly distributed from May to September (31), with a dip in 60 July. However, there were also 50 records from March, April (two) and October, plus one undated. 40 In the early 1950s, the possibility 30 that some or all of these birds could be escapes from captivity 20 was raised, highlighted by a con- 10 signment that escaped in London in March 1951, which was subse- 0 JFMAMJJASOND quently responsible for several records in the London area and 20 south to Brighton (Ferguson- (b) 18 Lees 1967). This was followed by 16 an unusually early record of a male at Tonbridge, Kent, on 13th 14 March 1953, but it was assumed 12 that sightings from remote Scot- 10 tish islands such as Fair Isle were 8 untainted by the escape problem. 6 4 The 1960s Seven records in 1960 preceded a 2 record total of 16 in 1961. 0 JFMAMJJASOND Further ‘big years’ followed in the 1960s, with new record totals in Fig. 2. Monthly discovery dates of Red-headed Emberiza bruniceps (a) both 1966 (17) and 1967 (19); and Black-headed Buntings E. melanocephala (b) in Britain, 1950–82. Note that the scale used for the y-axis differs in the two graphs. these included a multiple arrival

542 British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain of up to two males and two females on scarred-over injury at the base of the culmen Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, from 1st June to and on the front of the forehead, compatible 16th July 1967. There were 122 records in total with the bird attempting to escape through wire during the decade (fig. 1). The debate over their (Brit. Birds 61: 43). In the field, the bird had origins continued in the pages of British Birds been reported as being relatively tame. A captive and, in an editorial reply to a letter from P. G. R. origin was supported by White (1967), who Barbier (1967), I. J. Ferguson-Lees outlined the stated that during the 1930s he had frequently position at that time. Large numbers of Red- seen Red-headed Buntings for sale in the headed Buntings were being imported annually London area, where he considered that he must into Britain from India, with males outnum- have seen several hundred in total, mostly bering females by about five to one because males. In fact, the species had been kept at their brightly coloured plumage was more London Zoo since 1865 (Hudson 1967), and attractive to bird-trappers. The greatest White also pointed out that A. G. Butler, in his numbers were being caught in early spring, Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary, published in immediately prior to the spring migration, and 1909, stated that ‘This species has frequently these were also being imported into Belgium been imported and a good many examples and The Netherlands, which had a flourishing have, from time to time, been exhibited at the bird trade at that time. Since Red-headed London Zoological Gardens.’ This information Buntings were so numerous in captivity, they was then used to cast doubt on two nineteenth- were not expensive. Moreover, few of the century records from Helgoland, Germany captive birds were ringed, as traders simply did (Hudson 1967). In his editorial response to not have the capacity to ring the many thou- Barbier (1967), Ferguson-Lees stated that Red- sands of birds they were handling. The appear- headed Buntings began to be imported ‘in ance of Red-headed Buntings at remote coastal numbers’ into Europe again in the late 1940s, migration spots in Britain was explained by the after the First World War, and that the afore- hypothesis that many were likely to have mentioned 1951 consignment was a far from escaped in the Low Countries soon after their isolated occurrence. In view of all this doubt arrival there and, responding to 45 their normal spring migratory (a) urge, had then headed northwest 40 across the North Sea. 35 Support for this theory came 30 from Fair Isle, where four osten- 25 sibly wild Red-headed Buntings 20 that had arrived during optimum 15 conditions in the 1960s – south- 10 easterly weather in late spring – were trapped and showed evi- 5 0 dence of having been in captivity. JFMAMJJASOND This included broken feather tips, unhealthy feet and soiled 45 plumage on the sides of the neck (b) (Dennis 1968). One trapped on 40 18th May 1966 bore an avicul- 35 tural ring; attempts to trace the 30 origin of the ring proved unsuc- 25 cessful but it was thought likely 20 that the bird came from the Con- 15 tinent. None of the escaped birds 10 was tame. Remarkably, a subse- 5 quent examination of the 1931 0 North Ronaldsay specimen by JFMAMJJASOND Derek Goodwin also showed evi- Fig. 3. Monthly discovery dates of Red-headed Emberiza bruniceps (a) dence of a captive origin: a and Black-headed Buntings E. melanocephala (b) in Britain, 1983–2005.

British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 543 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain about the species’ provenance, Ferguson-Lees were Red-headed Buntings still occurring at all? subsequently reported that the BOURC had If the ban was incomplete, some may have deleted the species from the British List (Brit. remained in trade, legally or otherwise, or Birds 61: 43). perhaps they began to reappear gradually fol- lowing an initial clampdown. Even if imports The 1970s had dried up completely in 1982, some individ- The species’ occurrence pattern and status uals would have remained in captivity and remained unchanged throughout the 1970s (fig. could have escaped. It seems doubtful, however, 1), when a further 125 were recorded, with ‘big that the species’ captive status could have been years’ in 1970 (12), 1974 (15), 1975 (12), 1976 maintained in the long term without further (25) and 1978 (16). These years were to prove to imports since, despite its former popularity as a be the peak in Britain, after which numbers cage and aviary bird, there is no evidence that began to decline. significant numbers were being bred in cap- tivity (Jonathan Barnaby and Roger Wilkinson The 1980s and 1990s in litt.). Evidence that Red-headed Buntings By 1982, the Indian Government had decided to were escaping after 1982 was provided by males restrict the exportation of wild birds and, as a in gardens in Greater Manchester and in consequence, the status of Red-headed Bunting Cheshire & Wirral in February–March 1986 in Britain changed fundamentally. Establishing (perhaps the same individual), and by a tame full details of the consequences of the Indian male, subsequently killed by a cat, in a sub- export ban is now difficult. It is not clear urban garden in Bath, Somerset, in April 1994. whether it represented a complete and water- tight ban, whether smaller numbers of Red- Post-2000 headed Buntings continued to be exported At the time of writing, there have been just legally or whether some were still being three records in the present decade: a male at exported illegally. Nonetheless, there is no Baldhoun, Isle of Man, on 16th–17th June 2001 doubt that 1982 was the beginning of the end of (Birding World 14: 275); a male near Cattawade, trade in the species, which decreased markedly Essex, on 21st May 2002 (per Nick Green and thereafter. Malcolm Wright); and a male at Monreith, The effect of the export ban was immediate, Dumfries & Galloway, on 8th–9th June 2004 with no British records at all in either 1983 or (Jones 2004). Black-headed Buntings have con- 1984, the first blank years since 1949. For the tinued to be found during this period, with a next 14 years, there were further records, but at total of 32 during 2000–05, including a record a reduced level, there being an average of almost 15 in 2000. five per year. Totals between 1985 and 1998 varied between none (in 1987) to seven (in Arrival times of Red-headed and 1989), with the exception of a peak of 11 in Black-headed Buntings 1993, nine of which occurred between 6th May Before the ban: 1950–1982 and 27th June. Interestingly, 1993 also proved to Of 296 records of Red-headed Bunting between be an excellent year for Black-headed Buntings, 1950 and 1982, there was a clear spring peak, with 12 records, making that year’s total the with 54% in May and June. Of 51 records of third-highest on record (fig. 1). Black-headed during the same period, 53% Further evidence of a change in status after were also found in May and June. As fig. 2 1982 is provided by comparing the ratio of shows, the May to September occurrence pat- records of the two species. From 1950 to 1982, terns of the two species are closely matched. numbers of Red-headed exceeded those of This might suggest that both species had similar Black-headed by an overall ratio of almost 6:1, origins (either all were wild or all were escapes); but after 1982 Black-headed outnumbered Red- however, if escaped Red-headed Buntings were headed by almost 2:1; from 1983 to 1998, Black- migrating at precisely the same time as their headed was more numerous in ten of the 16 wild counterparts, it would be impossible to years. Totals for Red-headed Bunting for the separate the occurrence patterns of escaped 1980s and 1990s were only 32 and 42 respec- birds from those of genuine vagrants. tively (fig. 1a). There were no winter (November to Feb- Given the existence of the export ban, why ruary inclusive) records of Red-headed

544 British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain

Buntings during this period (in fact the only and Cornwall from 24th May to 2nd June), June winter records in Britain are those in Greater 1997 (six) and May–June 2000 (eight, with a Manchester and Cheshire & Wirral in 1986; see further three in July). A higher proportion of above). Just as the spring peak can be explained Red-headed than Black-headed occurred in the by escaped birds migrating northwest within first half of May (11% compared with 3%) Britain or from the Continent, the lack of although the numbers of records were small: winter records can be explained by assuming seven Red-headed and three Black-headed. that escaped birds would migrate southeast in A lower percentage of Red-headed Buntings autumn. It may even be the case that those turned up in August–September in 1983–2005 which survived in the wild continued a ‘feral’ (21%) compared with 1950–1982 (28%); the existence in this manner, migrating back and equivalent figures for Black-headed are 19% forth across Europe in line with their natural and 25%. Perhaps the higher earlier figures for migratory instincts. December, February (two) Red-headed represent a larger proportion of and March records from Italy (Yésou et al. escaped birds remaining from the spring and 2003) may support this idea. summer?

After the ban: 1983–2005 Geographical distribution of Red-headed and There were a further 64 records of Red-headed Black-headed Buntings Bunting during this period. As in 1950–1982, Before the ban: 1950–1982 the peak time for arrivals continued to be May Whether they are wild birds or escapes from the and June (55%), compared with 63% for Black- Low Countries, it would seem logical to assume headed (fig. 3). Although similar, the greater that most Red-headed Buntings would turn up difference between these two figures can be on the east coast, with other arrivals in the explained by four notable influxes of Black- Northern Isles and along the south coast. headed Buntings: in June 1992 (seven), However, table 1 shows that, during the period May–June 1993 (ten, including five in Devon 1950–1982, the highest proportion of Red-

1–2 1–2 3–5 3–5 6–10 6–10 11–20 11–20 21–30 21–30

31–40 31–40

41–50 41–50

Fig. 4. Map illustrating the distribution of occurrences Fig. 5. Map illustrating the distribution of occurrences of Red-headed Buntings Emberiza bruniceps in Britain, of Black-headed Buntings Emberiza melanocephala in 1950–1982. Britain, 1950–1982.

British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 545 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain headed Buntings (34%) occurred on the west there were just two in Norfolk compared with coast. Reinforcing this point, there were just 13 five in Wales. Similarly, the highest proportion records of Red-headed Buntings from well- of Black-headed Buntings (37%) was on the watched Norfolk compared with 34 from tradi- west coast (none in Norfolk, no fewer than 19 tionally under-watched Wales (fig. 4). in Wales). The distributions of the two species The highest proportion of Black-headed before and after the Indian export ban are Buntings (35%) occurred on the Northern Isles astonishingly similar, the most obvious differ- and the north coast of Scotland, but 20% were ence being a smaller proportion in the on the west coast of Britain, compared with just Northern Isles and on the Scottish north coast, 14% on the entire east coast; there was just one where both species declined in the later period, record of Black-headed Bunting from Norfolk and a higher proportion of Black-headed compared with five in Wales (table 1, fig. 5). Buntings on the west coast. The predominance of Red-headed Bunting records along the west coast could be explained West-coast records if they had escaped in England, flown northwest Vinicombe (2004) explored the fact that, in during ‘spring migration’ and made landfall on spring, more Red-headed and Black-headed the west coast. If that was true, however, why Buntings have occurred on the west coast than were there also so many Black-headed Buntings in other areas of Britain. A number of other on the west coast? late-spring and early-summer vagrants from southeast Europe and southwest Asia show a After the ban: 1983–2005 similar pattern, sightings coming from the fol- A similar geographical distribution pattern was lowing islands in particular: Lundy, Devon; apparent after the Indian export ban in 1982 Skokholm and Skomer, Pembrokeshire; (figs. 6 & 7). Table 1b shows that the highest Bardsey, Caernarfonshire; and the Calf of Man, proportion of Red-headed Bunting records Isle of Man. The species involved include the again came from the west coast (35%), and first British records of Black Lark and White-

1–2 1–2 3–5 3–5 6–10 6–10 11–20 11–20 21–30 21–30

31–40 31–40

41–50 41–50

Fig. 6. Map illustrating the distribution of occurrences Fig. 7. Map illustrating the distribution of occurrences of Red-headed Buntings Emberiza bruniceps in Britain, of Black-headed Buntings Emberiza melanocephala in 1983–2005. Britain, 1983–2005.

546 British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain

Table 1. Geographical distribution of Red-headed Emberiza bruniceps and Black-headed Buntings E. melanocephala in Britain, 1950–1982 (a) and 1983–2005 (b).West = west-coast counties from Land’s End to Cape Wrath;East = east-coast counties from Foreland Point to Duncansby Head; North = coastal counties from Cape Wrath to Duncansby Head (including Orkney and Shetland); South = south-coast counties from North Foreland to Scilly.

a. 1950–82 West East North South Inland Red-headed 34% 24% 20% 21% 1% Black-headed 20% 14% 35% 25% 6%

b. 1983–2005 West East North South Inland Red-headed 35% 24% 13% 23% 5% Black-headed 37% 11% 28% 20% 4% throated Robin Irania gutturalis (two), as well as western Europe and flying with a good tail- Bimaculated Lark M. bimaculata, ‘Black-headed wind for around 500 km (about 300 miles) in Wagtail’ Motacilla flava feldegg,Booted Warbler one night would perhaps find themselves out H. caligata, Rüppell’s Warbler S. rueppelli (two), over the Irish Sea or the Bristol Channel, and Isabelline Shrike (two), Southern Grey Shrike then presumably turn back to make landfall and other late-spring vagrants that may also on the west coast. have originated from the east, rather than the south, including European Roller Coracias gar- Sex ratios rulus (five), Calandra Lark M. calandra, Crested Given that the ratio of males to females Lark Galerida cristata, Blue Rock Thrush Mon- imported from India was about 5:1, it is hardly ticola solitarius (two), Lesser Grey Shrike L. surprising that most Red-headed Buntings seen minor (five) and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispan- in this country have been males, the overall per- iolensis (three). centage from 1950 to 2005 being 95%. The Given the low density of observers along equivalent figure for Black-headed Bunting is the west coast of Britain, this pattern is sur- 88%. This difference is largely accounted for by prising. Although small islands clearly facili- the fact that there were 15 female or immature tate the discovery of such vagrants, there are Black-headed Buntings in autumn (21st August more observers and just as many bird obser- to 14th October) compared with just six vatories along the east coast. The reason for female/immature Red-headed Buntings. When this phenomenon is unclear but perhaps the records from 1st May to 20th August were com- most plausible explanation is that it is related pared, the proportion of males for the two to the distances that birds heading west or species was much closer: 97% of Red-headed northwest travel from their last stopover, were males, 95% of Black-headed. These figures which is likely to have been on the near conti- are, however, difficult to evaluate, as males are nent. Migrants leaving the coast of mainland also likely to predominate as genuine vagrants

Table 2. Autumn records of non-adult male Red-headed Buntings Emberiza bruniceps in Britain, 1951–1998. Date Location Details 30th September to 3rd October 1951 Lundy, Devon ‘female’ 19th–26th September 1961 The Skerries, Anglesey ‘female’ 3rd–19th September 1969 Fair Isle, Shetland ‘female’,trapped 25th September to 2nd October 1985 Fair Isle adult female 13th–17th September 1993 Fair Isle ‘immature male’.Note that a description of this bird cannot be traced, so its ageing is perhaps best regarded as uncertain (R. Riddington in litt.). 21st October to 4th November 1994 Tresco, St Martin’s & first-winter St Mary’s, Scilly 3rd–7th October 1998 St Mary’s first-winter

British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 547 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain in spring, a characteristic of many uncon- Italy tentious spring overshoots such as various Nineteen records between 1896 and 1978 com- Sylvia warblers (Vinicombe & Cottridge 1996). prised mostly males caught by trappers in the north and northeast of the country. Two First-winter birds in autumn remarkable records involved an undated flock The separation of first-winter Red-headed and of seven or eight near Campomarino, Molise Black-headed Buntings in autumn has always (Andrea Corso in litt.), and a flock of 11 (two been problematic and some authorities con- males plus females and young) on Ustica, north sider that safe identification is only possible in of Sicily, on 15th September 1978; it seems pos- the hand. Before 1982, most non-adult males sible that they may have bred locally. The tem- in autumn, of both species, were simply poral occurrence patterns led Yésou et al. classed as ‘females’, so it is impossible to judge (2003) to conclude that the French and Italian how many first-winters occurred in Britain. records probably related to wild birds and, in Table 2 summarises records of non-adult male both countries, the species is now in Category A Red-headed Buntings in Britain in autumn of their national lists as well as Category D. from 1951 to 1998. Note that the birds on They concluded that, had the birds been Scilly in October 1994 and October 1998, escapes, a more even temporal distribution which are considered by this author to have would have been expected. been Red-headed Buntings, are included in this table, although the first was rejected by Germany BBRC (Vinicombe 2003). For an analysis of records from Helgoland, Germany, see Dierschke (2007; pp. 554–557). Status of Red-headed Bunting elsewhere in The pattern observed there is similar to that in Europe Britain: a peak in the 1960s followed by a sharp In 2003, all European records committees were decline and then just occasional records in the contacted in an attempt to ascertain the status 1990s and none since 1997. As in Britain, Black- of Red-headed Buntings throughout the conti- headed Bunting shows a more consistent nent. The most detailed information came from pattern of occurrence, but with a marked the following countries. increase in the 1990s and 2000s. The temporal pattern was also similar, with a late spring and Ireland early summer peak for both species, although In Ireland, 19 were recorded between 1951 and the peak for Black-headed was more concen- 1997, with peaks of six in May, and four in both trated (late May to early June) than that for June and September. Red-headed.

The Netherlands Other countries In The Netherlands there were 11 between 1933 The following feedback from other countries and 1995, with peaks of three in both May and was received (showing number of records in June. In addition, a less typical record con- parentheses): Channel Islands (a few recorded cerned one collected in February 1937 (Arnoud on Guernsey and two on Alderney), Czech van den Berg in litt.). Most interesting, however, Republic (one), Denmark (five, including a was a first-summer male at Sint Philipsland, male on 10th May 2001), Finland (two), Iceland Zeeland, on 2nd June 1995, that coincided with (two), Norway (15), Sweden (one on 18th July the discovery of a female White-throated Robin 1988, regarded as an escape) and Switzerland the same day in Zuid-Holland (van den Berg & (three). Nil returns were received from Bosman 1999). Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta and Romania. France The recent rarity of Red-headed Bunting The French (and Italian) records were analysed throughout Europe is striking. Jochen Dier- by Yésou et al. (2003). In France, 18 were schke (in litt.) confirmed that Red-headed recorded from 1959 to 1997, with the temporal Bunting has not been recorded in Germany occurrence patterns being similar to those in since 1997, there have been no Dutch records Britain. Most occurred along the Channel and since 1995 (Arnoud van den Berg in litt.), no Atlantic coasts. French records since 1997 (Yésou et al. 2003),

548 British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain no Irish records since 1997 (Paul Milne in litt.), Buntings bred here between 1997 and 2003, and only two Norwegian records since 1997 although the register is voluntary and so cannot (July 1999 and May 2003; Vegard Bunes in litt.). be regarded as comprehensive. Roger Wilkinson The national summaries also reveal how few checked the same register back to 1985, which continental records there have been in total revealed only one report of captive breeding in compared with the large numbers recorded in the UK in that period, a single bird reared in Britain, but temporal patterns of occurrence are 1989. generally similar. Together with the June record Morten Bentzon Hansen, currently investi- from The Netherlands in 1995 and the two gating the captive status of buntings in flocks in Italy, perhaps the most significant Denmark and elsewhere on the Continent, pro- recent records concern birds in Finland on vided the most detailed summary of the captive 26th–27th May 1996 in Kirkkonummi status of Red-headed Bunting in Europe. He has (southern Finland) and from 7th June to 5th visited several dealers in Belgium, The Nether- July 1996 at Mustasaari (western Finland), both lands and Denmark during the last ten years, of which may suggest wild vagrancy. including several visits in the last 3–4 years to what is probably the largest continental bird Current status in captivity market, at Zwolle in The Netherlands. During Central to the discussion of the species’ these visits, the only captive Red-headed vagrancy potential is its current status in cap- Bunting seen was a single bird at Zwolle in tivity. The reduction in the numbers of Red- 2003. He also examined the breeding statistics headed Buntings in Britain since the 1982 in Gefiederte Welt, probably the most widely Indian export ban would strongly suggest that it read avicultural magazine in Germany. During is now less common in captivity than in the 1988–2004, only two Red-headed Buntings were 1960s and 1970s, but is there any evidence to bred in captivity, one in 1992 and another in support this? Following a request for informa- 1994. As with British data, these statistics may tion on www.westpalbirds.com in December not be complete as not all breeders are 2005, I received replies from a number of members of the Verband Deutscher Waldvo- correspondents throughout Europe. I also con- gelpfleger, which collates the information, and it tacted a number of British birders who have an is also likely that not all members report their interest in the cagebird trade and the following breeding successes. To put these figures into is a synopsis of their replies. perspective, however, the number of Siberian Roger Wilkinson, Head of Conservation and Rubythroats Luscinia calliope bred in captivity Science at the North of England Zoological during the same period was 445! Society and captive bird consultant of the Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordóñez (in litt.) BOURC, confirmed that Red-headed Bunting commented that Red-headed Bunting is not a was formerly common in trade in Britain and common cagebird in Barcelona, Spain, although was sold frequently in pet shops, but this is cer- it can be found in some specialised shops and tainly not the case now. He has monitored trade occasionally males can be seen in cages on the adverts since the mid 1990s but he has not seen Ramblas, one of the main streets in the city. A advertisements for Red-headed Buntings, nor global check of foreign zoos by Roger has he encountered them in UK trade recently. Wilkinson revealed only two listed as holding Although some may still occur in trade, they Red-headed Buntings: Disney Animal certainly do not do so in the numbers seen pre- Kingdom, Florida, USA, with nine birds, and viously. Wrocław Zoo, Poland, with two. Jonathan Barnaby, Wildlife Inspector in the Inevitably, information on captive Red- Wildlife Crime and Inspectorate Branch of the headed Buntings is largely anecdotal but it is Department of the Environment, Food and still possible to assess general trends. It is clear Rural Affairs, contacted Bryan Reed, General that the species was common in trade from the Secretary of the Foreign Bird Federation, who 1950s to the late 1970s and that it has declined commented that he had seen the species on significantly since, largely in response to the show benches in recent years and assumed that Indian trade ban. It is equally clear that, they arrived in the UK via the Continent. although the species still remains in captivity, it However, the Federation’s register of birds bred is no longer common and captive breeding is in the UK shows no records of Red-headed infrequent. Morten Bentzon Hansen summed

British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 549 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain up the current position as follows: ‘It is my and early summer records of both species impression that the species is extremely rare in have come from the British west coast, with captivity and close to non-existent.’ a obvious cluster around the Irish Sea. The occurrence patterns of Red-headed and Summary • Black-headed Buntings in Britain since the Given that Red-headed Bunting is a • 1950s are mirrored by records from Hel- common and widespread species within its goland, Germany. breeding range (notably in Kazakhstan, where the species is common and the popu- • Red-headed Bunting is now rare in captivity lation is considered to be stable), and has a and it is rarely bred. northwesterly orientation to its spring It appears to be both abundant and stable in migration from the Indian subcontinent to • Kazakhstan, where the bulk of its population Central Asia, it should be regarded as a likely breeds. vagrant to Britain and Europe. • The large upsurge in records in the 1950s, Recommendations 1960s and 1970s was due mainly to escapes From the above conclusions, the following rec- from a thriving cagebird trade. ommendations are made: • A sharp downturn in records was evident • Since Red-headed Bunting was common in after 1982, when an export ban was imposed captivity, records from 1950 to 1982 should by the Indian Government. be treated as presumed escapes, there being no way to separate likely cagebirds from A small resurgence in records occurred in • genuine vagrants. the late 1980s and 1990s, although at least two ‘obvious escapees’ in Britain (the last in • We should be more open-minded about the 1994) suggested that some captive birds were spring records since the Indian export ban in still escaping. 1982. Although it is clear that some captive birds were still escaping after that date, there Recently, there has been a further decline in • is also evidence to suggest that not all Red- sightings and just three were recorded in headed Buntings had a captive origin. Most Britain from 1999 to 2005. A similar pattern notably, a post-ban peak of 11 in 1993 coin- is apparent in Norway, Germany, The cided with a marked influx of 12 Black- Netherlands, France and Ireland. headed Buntings, the third best year on • Before the export ban, Red-headed Bunting record for the latter species. outnumbered Black-headed by a ratio of As there were just three spring records from almost 6:1 while, following the ban, Black- • 1999 to 2005, Red-headed Bunting is now headed outnumbered Red-headed by almost occurring at a rate compatible with natural 2:1. Since 1998, Black-headed has outnum- vagrancy and it would seem sensible to treat bered Red-headed Bunting by 10:1. current records in the same way as other rar- • Black-headed Bunting did not show a ities from the same region of Central Asia, similar upsurge in records from the 1950s to with the reinstatement of the species to the the late 1970s, but instead maintained a BBRC list. fairly steady – possibly cyclical – pattern of Given that the last known case of Red- occurrence, with a gradual increase in the • headed Bunting being bred in captivity in 1990s and 2000s (including several influx Britain was in 1989, and the last known case years). in Germany in 1994, contemporary late- • The temporal and geographical occurrence autumn records of first-winters are much patterns of Red-headed and Black-headed more likely to relate to wild birds than to Buntings are strikingly similar. A plausible captive ones. explanation for this is that escaped Red- Unless there are compelling reasons to headed Buntings migrate at precisely the • suggest otherwise, records of Black-headed same time as their wild counterparts. Bunting should continue to be regarded as • A surprisingly high proportion of late spring relating to wild birds.

550 British Birds 100 • September 2007 • 540–551 The status of Red-headed Bunting in Britain

The future Milne, Gunnlaugur Pétursson, Sergey Sklyarenko, Svetoslav Given the decision by the EU Commission in Spasov, Prof. Karel Stanstny, Laszlo Szabo Szeley, Arnoud B. van den Berg and Glyn Young. In addition, Jonathan January 2007 to ban the trade in wild birds per- Barnaby, Juan Carlos Fernández-Ordóñez, Bryan Reed and manently, it will be interesting to see how the Nick Williams provided prompt and extremely helpful pattern continues to develop. If the numbers in replies to my requests for information on the species’ current captive status. Information on its current status captivity remain low and the numbers escaping within its breeding range was supplied by Svetlana even smaller, it will surely be untenable to con- Annenkova, John S. Armitage, Vaughan Ashby, Andrei tinue to treat all current and future British Gavrilov and Chris Kehoe. Thanks also go to Tim Brown, Andrew Easton, John Judge, Ole Krogh and George records of Red-headed Bunting as escapes from Reszeter for use of their photographs. Natalina Dimeo captivity. I suggest that Red-headed Bunting kindly translated a French paper. should be regarded as a very rare vagrant in late Several years ago, Mike Rogers analysed the records of spring (mainly May and June) and in late this species in Britain but never submitted his findings for publication. Since preparing my manuscript, I have read a autumn (late September and October). It would copy of his results and was pleased to see that his analysis be expected that, like Black-headed Bunting, and mine are extremely similar. there may be occasional influxes when above- average numbers are recorded in spring, while References in most years it will not be recorded at all. In Barbier, P.G. R. 1967. Red-headed Buntings in Britain and Ireland. Brit. Birds 60: 344–347. the meantime, it will remain a matter of con- Dennis, R. H. 1968. Red-headed Buntings on Fair Isle science for observers to decide whether or not during 1950–67. Brit. Birds 61: 41–43. to include Red-headed Bunting on their lists. Dierschke, J. 2007.The status of Black-headed and Red- headed Buntings on Helgoland, Germany. Brit. Birds 100: 554–557. Acknowledgments Dymond, J. N., Fraser, P.A., & Gantlett, S. J. M. 1989. Rare I am particularly grateful to Lee Evans for his comments Birds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser, Calton. and for allowing me use his database; to Jochen Dierschke Evans, L. G. R. 1994. Rare Birds in Britain: 1800–1990. for his agreement to publish data from Helgoland and for Privately published. his help and interest in the subject; and to Morten Hudson, R. 1967.Two dubious ‘British’ birds. Brit. Birds 60: Bentzon Hansen for sending detailed information on the 423–426. captive status of the species in continental Europe. Colin Jones, L. 2004.The wild one? Birdwatch 146: 50. Bradshaw, Pete Fraser, Adam Rowlands and Grahame van den Berg, A., & Bosman, C. 1999. Rare Birds of the Walbridge kindly searched many county bird reports and Netherlands. Pica Press, Robertsbridge. provided additional records that were not held in BBRC Vinicombe, K. 2003. Red-headed Bunting revisited. files. Thanks also go to Keith Bennett, Martin Cade, Andy Birdwatch 137: 32. Davis, Andrew Easton, Nick Green, Mark Lawlor,Alex Lees, — 2004.Trans Europe Express. Birdwatch 144: 24–27. David Parkin, Roger Wilkinson, Robert Wilton and — & Cottridge, D. 1996. Rare Birds in Britain and Ireland: a Malcolm Wright for additional information. Roger photographic record. Collins, London. Riddington kindly e-mailed all the European contacts and White, C. A. 1967. Red-headed Buntings in Britain and thanks to all those who so promptly replied:Vasil Ananian, Ireland. Brit. Birds 60: 529–530. Janis Baumanis, Volet Bernard, Vegard Bunes, Rolf Yésou, P., Duquet, M., & Corso, A. 2003. Le Bruant à tête Christiansen, Andrea Corso, Philippe Dubois, Marc rousse Emberiza bruniceps en France et en Italie: statut Duquet, Magyar Gábor, Jelena Kralj, Tom Lindroos, Paul et origine. Ornithos 10: 249–251.

Keith E. Vinicombe, Bristol

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