[2] It breeds in eastern Siberia and is migratory, wintering in central and southern China.

The yellow-browed bunting breeds in the taiga zone, and lays four eggs in an arboreal nest.

In the wild, the adults' diet consists of seeds, but they feed insects to nestlings.

The breeding male has a black head with white crown and moustachial stripes and throat.

Females and young birds have a weaker head pattern, with brown instead of black, and can be confused with little buntings; however, there is always some yellow in the eyebrow, as well as at least a hint of a white stripe on the crown.