The specific leucocephalos is from Ancient Greek leukos, "whites", and kephalos, "headed".

[2] The pine bunting is a robust 16–17.5-centimetre bird, with a thick seed-eater's bill.

The male has a white crown and cheeks, and a chestnut forehead and throat, and a heavily streaked brown back.

It is a rare vagrant to western Europe, but often winters in north-east Italy and Tuscany.

However, since 2004, BBRC has regarded these birds as acceptable if they also meet the following conditions:[4] The pine bunting's natural food consists of seeds, and when feeding its young, insects.