bunting, common name for small, plump birds of the family Fringillidae (finch family). Among the American buntings are the indigo bunting, in which the summer plumage of the male reflects sunlight as a rich, metallic blue; the painted bunting, or nonpareil (Passerina ciris), with showy red, blue, and green plumage; the hardy snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), whose winter plumage is white marked with light brown on the head and sides; and the lazuli bunting of the West, turquoise above with a chestnut breast and white wing bars. European buntings include the corn, snow, and cirl buntings, the yellowhammer, and the ortolan (Emberiza hortulana), which is caught and fattened as a table delicacy. Buntings are also called sparrows in the United States. They are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Fringillidae.

or yellow bunting

Songbird species (Emberiza citrinella, family Emberizidae) found from Britain to central Asia. The name is derived from the German Ammer (“bunting”). Yellowhammers are 6 in. (16 cm) long and have a streaked brown body, yellow-tinged head and breast, and a rapid song. In the southern U.S., the yellow-shafted flicker is called yellowhammer because of its drumming.

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Common name for any of about 37 Old World species (genus Emberiza) of finch, as well as certain similar species found in the New World. All belong to the family Fringillidae, and many are recognizable by strongly patterned heads or bright colours. Emberiza species are seed eaters that commonly breed in temperate Eurasia and from northern Africa to India. The snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) breeds in the far north, and the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) inhabits the U.S. Great Plains. U.S. species include the indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) and the painted bunting (P. ciris). The male painted bunting, with red, green, and blue feathers, is the most colourful bird that breeds in the U.S.

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Bunting can refer to:

• Bunting (bird), a group of birds
• An infant sleeping bag
• The act of laying down a bunt, a type of offensive play in baseball
• Bunting (textile), a lightweight cloth material often used for flags and festive decorations
• Bye, baby Bunting, a nursery rhyme

As a surname

• Basil Bunting (1900-1985), British modernist poet
• Bill Bunting (born 1947), American basketball player
• Chris Bunting, British comic book writer
• Clark Bunting, American television executive
• David Michael Bunting (born 1960), British poet/musician
• Edward Bunting (1773-1843), Irish musician
• Edward L. Bunting (1883-1962), English cricketer
• Eve Bunting (born 1928), Californian author
• Jabez Bunting (1779-1858), British preacher
• Jo Bunting, television producer
• John J. Bunting (born 1966), Australian serial killer
• John S. Bunting (born 1950), American football coach
• Josiah Bunting III (born 1939), American educator
• La Farrell Bunting (born 1980), American boxer
• Madeleine Bunting, British journalist
• Mark Bunting, Canadian journalist
• Mary Bunting (1910-1998), American college president
• Reverend Bunting, character in The Invisible Man
• Ronnie Bunting (died 1980), Irish political activist
• Thomas L. Bunting (1844-1898), American politician
• Christopher Bunting, (1925-2005), English cellist