What is "cirl bunting"

Cirl bunting \Cirl" bun`ting\ [Cf. It. cirlo.] (Zo["o]l.) A European bunting ( Emberiza cirlus).

n. A small, Old World passerine bird, (taxlink Emberiza cirlus species noshow=1), of the bunting family (Emberizidae). Very similar to the yellowhammer.

The cirl bunting , Emberiza cirlus, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae.

It breeds across southern Europe, on the Mediterranean islands and in north Africa. It is a resident of these warmer areas, and does not migrate in winter. It is common in all sorts of open areas with some scrub or trees, but has a preference for sunny slopes.

Changes in agricultural practice have affected this species very adversely at the northern fringes of its range, and in England, where it once occurred over much of the south of the country, it is now restricted to south Devon. The cirl bunting is the mascot on the signs for the village of Stokeinteignhead.