Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat
Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.
Ortolan bunting
Scientific name: Emberiza hortulana
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Family: EMBERIZIDAE
Group: Birds
Shyness: Very shy
Safe distance: 20 m
Breeding season / Courtship: 15.04-10.06
Gestation: 11–12 jours
Births: 10–12 jours
Habitat:
Cultivated fields and fallow land, field margins and wasteland
Description:
Small passerine 16–17 cm long with streaked olive-brown plumage and a greenish-grey head. Inhabits cereal fields and margins, feeding mainly on seeds, supplemented by insects during breeding. Pairs nest on the ground, hiding nests among crops or low vegetation, and males sing from low perches to defend territory.
Recommended lens:
>=500 mm
Photography tips:
Scan field margins at ground level and position yourself hidden behind a hedge or low scrub to catch birds foraging on the ground. Shoot in the early morning when light is soft and birds are active, using a fast shutter speed to freeze their furtive movements.
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