Varied Bunting

The Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor, is a small, stocky songbird with a short tail and rounded bill. Males are adorned in a splendid purple-red plumage with a striking red patch on the nape, which fades to a more subdued brown in the fall. Females, on the other hand, present a more modest light brown attire and lack the streaking on the breast that one might see in the female Indigo Bunting.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Varied Bunting, look for the male's vibrant purple-red coloration and the distinctive red nape patch. Females can be recognized by their plain light brown plumage. Both sexes measure between 11–14 centimeters in length, boast a wingspan of approximately 21 centimeters, and weigh between 11–13 grams.

Habitat

These birds favor arid environments, making their homes in deserts and xeric shrublands. They have a particular affinity for thorny brush thickets, thorn forests, scrubby woodlands, and overgrown clearings.

Distribution

The Varied Bunting's range extends from the southern reaches of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States, down through Mexico to Oaxaca. Notably, there are small, separate populations in Chiapas, Mexico, and southeastern Guatemala.

Behaviour

On the ground is where Varied Buntings typically forage, searching for insects, fruit, and seeds to sustain themselves. They exhibit a preference for nesting in the outer branches of thorny shrubs, often selecting spots near water sources.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of the Varied Bunting includes a variety of songs, each with its own unique charm and complexity.

Breeding

Breeding occurs year-round for these birds. They construct open-cup nests woven from grass and spider webs. Females lay a clutch of two to five bluish-white to bluish-green eggs and incubate them for about fourteen days. The young buntings are fully feathered after 10 days and ready to fledge several days thereafter.

Similar Species

The female Varied Bunting may be mistaken for the female Indigo Bunting, but can be distinguished by the absence of streaking on the breast.

Diet and Feeding

Varied Buntings have a diet that includes insects, fruit, and seeds, which they forage for on the ground.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Varied Bunting as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.