China (mainland), Japan, Laos, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia (Asian), South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Vietnam.
Breeds north-eastern China (from Lesser Khingan Mts and R Zeja, in Heilongjiang) east to south-eastern Russian Far East (Amurland and Ussuri regions, including Sikhote Alin Mts). Winters in south-eastern China (south-eastern Yunnan east to Fujian, also Hunan and eastern Sichuan); very rare winter visitor also northern Thailand and northern Laos, probably also northern Vietnam (Tonkin).
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).
Tristram's Bunting (Emberiza tristrami) [XC114227]
by Frank Lambert from Bishui National Nature Reserve area (2), Heilongjiang, China (song)
Tristram's Bunting (Emberiza tristrami) [XC833975]
by Bo Shunqi \u8584\u987a\u5947 from Lamaiin Hiid, Saixan-Ovoo, Dundgovi, Mongolia (uncertain)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Sometimes placed in a separate genus, Ocyris. Recent phylogenetic study suggests that this species may form part of a clade with Yellow-browed Bunting (Emberiza chrysophrys), with Grey Bunting (Emberiza variabilis) as sister-species.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet