Cirl Bunting

(Emberiza cirlus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 50 000 – 70 000 pairs

Distribution pattern

With patchy and dispersed distribution in the lower parts of the whole country, more consistent in southern Bulgaria and along the Black Sea coast and more dispersed – to the North of the Balkan Range.

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Breeds predominantly on dry hilly terrains with sparse shrubs, single trees and rich grass cover, old growth or abandoned orchards, tree and bush plantations (especially vineyards and other areas with extensive agriculture), sparse low-stem deciduous forests, etc. Rarely on the outskirts of scattered mountain villages (hamlets, huts, etc.).

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Not analysed

Threats

Not analysed