Screaming your lungs out

So... a bird that impressed me, huh?

This is the theme for this week's SMAP! I have been impressed by tons of birds, so I'll just pick the last one that did it; and it happens to have happened in my latest birdwatching experience!


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Corn bunting / Trigueirão (PT) - Emberiza calandra

Corn buntings, at first sight, are not exactly birds that stand out. Males are slightly larger than females (although for me it's impossible to tell in the field if you see one alone), and similar plummage: a "boring" brownish/grey colour with stripes. No fancy colours, no long feathers, not a visual characteristic that stands out.

I had never seen corn buntings in this location, and as soon I started walking in the fields, I could tell they were there.

Why? Well, I told you they didn't stand out... until they start to sing, that is!


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Their calling is very very easy to identify; you hear it a few times, and you'll remember it. And they do it loud as hell!! The cherry on top? They usually pick a high location to do it, so it's normally easy to spot them. Extra cherry? They're not shy at all!


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This was the first one I was able to photograph. It seemed he was fresh out of bed, all ruffled feathers;he was taking care of the plummage, and in the breaks...


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Screaming my lungs out Time to sing for a bit!

Although can't tell just by the looks, all of these were probably males; I've seen a few flying to the location where other one was singing, as if trying to spook the competition.


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I don't think I ever took this many photos with an open beak as in this day; the calling starts with a chirp that keeps accelerating and finishes in a long chirp, so they keep their beak open in the last part of the calling more than enough time for a photo. I know, probably not the best description; but trust me, you hear it once, and you'll understand.


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They're also not picky about the singing location; top of pine trees will do as well:


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They were one of the highlights of this birdwatching session for sure!

They're common in a good part of Europe. If you have them at your location, chances are that you've heard them, at the very least.

Have you ever heard or seen them? Let me know! 😉

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17 comments
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How not to be impressed by the singing banting. 🙂
Beautiful images and such a good description of a bird thar really does not stand out with fancy colour. But, yes, once heard, I do remember its song. I see them around, usually perching on top of a shrub. Today we will be looking for them in the field not far from home.
Thank you again for your wonderful post.

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Funny thing here is that I can't count the times I've birdwatched here and don't remember ever seeing them until now... and it's been more than 20 years since I've started! :) Good luck in the bunting "hunting"! ;)

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Unfortunately we missed the fields today, but maybe next time.
Today I had a pleasure to see the magpie and great tit fledglings, so nice to see the new babies.🙂

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OMG! It doesn't look happy while 'singing' 🤣 It's like its life depending on that loud scream. Somehow it doesn't look easy..

Your photos are great! I'm in awe of how you can capture birds 😍

Have a lovely weekend!

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Hahahha that's a perfect description! They kind of look stressed in the final part of the calling, like their head is about to pop! :))) They do stand still a lot, so it's awesome to take photos. ;) Have a great weekend too! !BEER

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I just learn something today! Well, or I already have been told about these particular "feature" of the Corn buntings... ahaha Shame on me! I'm gonna browse on youtube their screaming singing, just to be sure. But most probably that I already have listen to their chant! 😅

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I am 100% sure you already heard them in Alentejo! ;)

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I've never seen one and I'm not sure that they are located anywhere in the States. There're certain birds that make such a distinct sound it's almost impossible to forget the chirp they make. Right across the road, a flock of Ravens calls home. They live at the very top of a huge stand of pine trees. When they decide to start chirping and making a racket, they could wake up the dead.

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You can only find them throughout Europe and in small parts of Africa and Asia. But trust me, you hear them a couple of times, and you won't forget. I've been seeing ravens more frequently where I live, but fortunately they're the quiet kind... so far! :) Cheers! !BEER

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