Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small brownish songbird of the Old World: The ortolan bunting is a species of bunting (a type of small passerine bird) native to Europe and parts of western Asia, known for its distinctive plumage and song.
   • A bird historically considered a culinary delicacy: This bird has been traditionally captured and prepared as a gourmet food item, often involving specific methods of fattening and consumption.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ortolan bunting migrates to Africa during the winter months.
  • Due to conservation efforts, hunting the ortolan bunting is now illegal in France.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural and culinary context: The term is strongly associated with a controversial French gastronomic tradition where the bird is eaten whole.
  • The practice of eating ortolan bunting has been the subject of much ethical debate.

Variants and Related Words

• Ortolan: Often used as a shortened, more common name for the ortolan bunting ().
• Bunting: Refers to the broader family of seed-eating birds (Emberizidae) to which the ortolan belongs.

Synonyms

• Emberiza hortulana: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Ortolan: The common short form.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is ornithological, identifying a specific bird species.
• A strong secondary meaning is culinary and cultural, referencing the historical practice of consuming the bird. This usage often carries connotations of luxury, tradition, and controversy.

Noun

1. brownish Old World bunting often eaten as a delicacy