IN NEWS: A Vagrant Red-Headed Bunting at Adyar Estuary

Analysis

1. A female red-headed bunting was sighted at the Adyar Estuary on 29 October 2025, soon after the cyclone activity in the region had subsided.
2. The bird was photographed and documented by birder Kumaresan Chandrabose, and the record appeared on citizen-science platforms.
3. Initial confusion existed regarding its identity. It was first thought to be a female black-headed bunting, but subsequent expert review corrected it to a red-headed bunting.
   • The corrected identification came through discussions within three bird-identification groups on Facebook:
     • Birds of India
     • Ask IDs of Indian birds
     • Identification of Birds from Indian Subcontinent
4. This sighting is considered the first confirmed record for Chennai.
5. The bird is likely a vagrant, having deviated from its usual wintering range due to cyclonic winds.
   • The bunting was seen in the morning and evening of October 29, but was not traced on October 30 or thereafter.
6. The report also highlights the linguistic origin of the word “bunting”, derived from Old English and Old German, relating to meanings associated with “stout” and “colourful,” which align with characteristics of buntings.

Static / Background Information (as per input)

1. Red-Headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)
   • Known for colourful males; females are duller, often leading to identification challenges.
2. Buntings (Genus: Emberiza)
   • Small, stout passerines.
   • Their name derives from root words in Old English and Old German referring to stoutness and colour.
3. Vagrancy in Birds
   • Birds deviate from their usual migratory path due to storms, cyclonic systems or disorientation.
   • Such occurrences are common immediately after major weather disturbances.
4. Adyar Estuary, Chennai
   • An important urban wetland supporting several migratory species.
   • Often influenced by seasonal weather conditions such as cyclones.

Updated – 02 November 2025; 10: 30 pm | The Hindu | News Source:Click Here