Other Names (World)
Slaty Bunting, Fukien Slaty Bunting, Blue Bunting, Chinese Bunting, Chinese Blue Bunting, Fukien Bunting, Fukien Blue Bunting, La Touche's Bunting
Breeds in central China in southern Gansu and southern Shaanxi (from Taibai Shan) south to western Sichuan (Nan Chuan range and valleys at eastern edge of Tibetan Plateau; probably also in north-eastern Sichuan); probably also farther east, in Anhui (Huang Shan). In non-breeding season widely recorded at lower elevations in Sichuan, western Hubei, Anhui, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian and northern Guangdong.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Slaty Bunting (Emberiza siemsseni) [XC304208]
by Bo Shunqi \u8584\u987a\u5947 from Hubei Province Shen Nongjia NR, China (song)
Slaty Bunting (Emberiza siemsseni) [XC113233]
by Mike Nelson from Foping Nature Reserve, Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, China (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Originally described in genus Junco, male plumage superficially resembling that of "slate-coloured" populations of Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), but was soon placed in a monotypic genus. However, recent phylogenetic analyses indicate that this species is, surprisingly, a sister-species of Yellow-throated Bunting (Emberiza elegans). Differs from Emberiza in unstreaked male plumage and very rufous female plumage, very small bill, and strangely shaped tail feathers, but recent molecular studies indicated that differences from that genus are minor and that present genus could well be merged with Emberiza.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet