Corn Bunting Welfare: Farmland Bird in Decline
The corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) has suffered severe population decline due to agricultural intensification, making it one of the UKs most threatened farmland birds.
Key Facts
- UK corn bunting numbers have fallen by over 85% since the 1970s
- Loss of winter stubble fields and spring-sown cereals has removed critical feeding habitat
- Males sing from elevated perches and are polygynous — a single male may have multiple females
- The distinctive jangling song was once commonplace across British farmland
- Agri-environment schemes that maintain winter stubble and mixed farming support corn buntings
Welfare Considerations
Corn bunting welfare decline reflects the systematic removal of the habitat elements that sustain them. The conversion of spring-sown cereal to autumn-sown cereals removed the traditional weedy stubble fields where corn buntings overwinter in flocks. Pesticide use eliminated the invertebrate food supply essential for chick survival. Modern agricultural landscapes in many areas simply cannot support corn bunting welfare. Agri-environment scheme uptake by farmers providing winter stubble, mixed farming, and wild bird seed crops has stabilized or improved corn bunting numbers in targeted areas.
What You Can Do
- Support agri-environment scheme uptake that benefits corn buntings and farmland birds
- Advocate for policy that incentivizes biodiversity-friendly farming
- Report corn bunting sightings to local bird recording groups
- Donate to RSPB and Wildlife Trusts working on farmland bird recovery
- Engage with food and farming policy consultations to advocate for wildlife-friendly farming