Lazuli Bunting

The Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena, is a small North American songbird, a visual delight named after the vibrant blue of lapis lazuli. The male is particularly striking with its bright blue head and back, a shade lighter than that of its relative, the Indigo Bunting. It boasts conspicuous white wingbars, a light rusty breast, and a white belly. The female, in contrast, is clad in more subdued tones of brown, with a grayer back and a warmer underside, and is distinguished by two thin, pale wingbars.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Lazuli Bunting, look for the male's vibrant blue upperparts and the distinctive white wingbars that set it apart from similar species. The female can be recognized by her brown plumage and the two pale wingbars. Both sexes have a short, conical bill typical of buntings, aiding in their identification.

Habitat

The Lazuli Bunting favors brushy areas and sometimes weedy pastures that are generally well-watered. It can also be found in towns, adapting to a variety of environments within its range.

Distribution

This species breeds predominantly west of the 100th meridian, from southern Canada through to northern Texas, central New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. Along the Pacific coast, their breeding range reaches down to the northwestern edge of Baja California. Come winter, they migrate to southeastern Arizona and Mexico.

Behaviour

Males may be elusive, often singing from the treetops, while both sexes can be seen feeding more conspicuously on the ground or in bushes.

Song & Calls

The Lazuli Bunting's song is a high, rapid, and strident warble. It shares similarities with the song of the Indigo Bunting but is distinguished by being longer and less repetitive.

Breeding

The Lazuli Bunting constructs a loose cup nest from grasses and rootlets, typically situated in a bush. It lays a clutch of three to four pale blue eggs. Notably, in the eastern and southern parts of its range, it may hybridize with the Indigo Bunting.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Lazuli Bunting consists mostly of seeds and insects. Their feeding habits are versatile, as they are comfortable foraging on the ground or in bushes.

Conservation status

The Lazuli Bunting is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.