Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi Found Breeding on Sakhalin Island, Russia

Abstract

Abstract Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi was confirmed to be breeding in grassland at the Volchinka River mouth, Northern Sakhalin, Russia, in July 2019. The density of the species was 0.17 territories/ha. The observed individuals were identified as either E. p. polaris or E. p. pallasi based on their morphological characteristics and geographical location. Two nests and two fledglings were discovered. This is the first evidence of this species breeding on Sakhalin Island. Since northern Sakhalin is several hundred to a thousand kilometres away from the previous known breeding range, our study suggests a possible range expansion of this species.