Uncommon to locally fairly common in open farmland and heathland. Mostly inconspicuous, but male sings from low perch on bush or fence. Lacks white outer tail feathers shown by most buntings. Sexes look alike: overall grayish brown and finely streaked with fairly plain head (narrow whitish eyering is indistinct). Note rather big bill, and fine dark breast streaks that sometimes merge into a dark blotch on middle of breast.