Ortolan Bunting
Emberiza hortulana
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortolan_bunting
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Emberizidae
Genus
Emberiza
Ortolan Bunting belongs to the family Emberizidae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Ortolan Bunting faces severe population declines across its range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional farming landscapes and reduced insect prey availability. Illegal hunting and trapping for culinary purposes, particularly in Mediterranean countries, continues to impact populations despite legal protections. Climate change is altering breeding and wintering habitats, while habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open agricultural landscapes with scattered trees and bushes, including traditional farmland mosaics, grasslands, and scrubland areas typically between 200-2000m elevation. The species prefers areas with low-intensity farming practices that maintain hedgerows, field margins, and diverse vegetation structure.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Ortolan Bunting faces severe population declines across its range due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional farming landscapes and reduced insect prey availability. Illegal hunting and trapping for culinary purposes, particularly in Mediterranean countries, continues to impact populations despite legal protections. Climate change is altering breeding and wintering habitats, while habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations.
Agricultural intensification and habitat loss
Climate change impacts on breeding and migration
Illegal hunting and trapping
Loss of insect prey due to pesticide use
Habitat fragmentation
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ortolan-bunting