The bird family Emberizidae contains around 300 seed-eating species, the majority of which are found in the Americas, although the genus Emberiza, with more than 40 members, is confined to the Old World.

Typically, it is the richest-coloured of the reed buntings, with the pinkest legs and bill in winter.

Upperparts chestnut, striped black and buff on breast and sides.

Female: Buffy submoustachial and throat, and black malar stripes, crown dark brown streaked pale.

Juvenile: Pale greyish-brown central crown stripe.