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Photo: Engraved by the firm of Bale & Danielsson, Ltd. after an original by Henrik Grönvold (1858–1940), from a contribution by William Robert Ogilvie-Grant (1863–1924) and Henry Ogg Forbes (1851–1932) t / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Near Threatened

Socotra Bunting

Emberiza socotrana

Socotra Bunting (Emberiza socotrana) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.

The Socotra Bunting (Emberiza socotrana) is a member of the Emberizidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 14.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.

NT Near Threatened

Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Emberizidae Buntings
  4. Genus Emberiza
  5. Species socotrana

Where it lives

Densely vegetated rocky slopes of montane Socotra

Quick facts

Weight
14.4 g
Family
Emberizidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Socotra Bunting is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Behaviour

A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Socotra Bunting is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Socotra Bunting (Emberiza socotrana) is a species of bird in the Emberizidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF densely vegetated rocky slopes of montane Socotra.

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14.4 g, with a wing length of about 6.6 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 631 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Socotra Bunting?

The Socotra Bunting is a very small bird that weighs around 14.4 g.

Where does the Socotra Bunting live?

The Socotra Bunting is found across Africa with a range covering AF densely vegetated rocky slopes of montane Socotra, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Socotra Bunting belong to?

The Socotra Bunting (Emberiza socotrana) belongs to the Emberizidae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Socotra Bunting eat?

The Socotra Bunting is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Does the Socotra Bunting migrate?

The Socotra Bunting is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Socotra Bunting endangered?

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

How large is the Socotra Bunting's range?

The Socotra Bunting has a mapped global range of about 631 km².

Conservation

Near Threatened

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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