Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
Tanqua Karoo, South Africa. October 2006

Clearly a close congener of other “humbug-headed” buntings usually found on rocky hillsides like the Rock Bunting Emberiza cia of southern and eastern Europe or the House Bunting E. striolata of northern Africa, the southern African Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis is normally found on rock-strewn hillsides or mountains, though it is also found in neighbouring grassy areas.

Widespread and ‘common where found’ (to quote an old book I had), Cape Buntings tend to be a little difficult to see amongst the boulders they feed around rather than particularly wary - but can also be quite closely approached sometimes in eg some car-parks in national parks.

The two birds here were photographed in typical rocky habitat in the Tanqua Karoo about three hours drive north-east of Pretoria.

Photographs copyright Charlie Moores