The rustic bunting breeds in northern Palearctic wet coniferous woodlands and normally winters across East and Southeast Asia.

A Landmark Sighting at Najafgarh Jheel

Local guide Ram Kumar Rawat first noticed the unfamiliar bird perched on a juliflora bush. After capturing photographs, he consulted fellow birders, who returned with him to confirm the identification. The group observed the bird for nearly half an hour, establishing the species as the rustic bunting — previously unrecorded in the region.

Distribution and Migration Patterns

The rustic bunting breeds in northern Palearctic wet coniferous woodlands and normally winters across East and Southeast Asia. Its appearance in India is uncommon, with only a few records from the Himalayas, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir over recent years. Experts suggest unusual winter conditions may be altering migration routes.

Expert Insights on Changing Movements

Bird Count India specialists noted that colder-than-usual weather may have pushed the species outside its regular wintering range. Similar unusual sightings, including a hawfinch in Jim Corbett and various displacements in southern India, point to broader climatic influences on migration. Observers emphasise the rarity of the species within a 100 sq km radius of Delhi NCR.