Painted Bunting

The Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) is a vibrant member of the cardinal family, Cardinalidae, native to North America. The male is a kaleidoscope of colors with a dark blue head, green back, red rump, and underparts, making it a striking sight. The female and juveniles, however, are cloaked in a more subdued green and yellow-green, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Adult buntings are compact birds, measuring 12–14 cm in length, with a wingspan of 21–23 cm, and weighing between 13–19 g.

Identification Tips

Males are unmistakable with their multicolored plumage, but females and juveniles require a closer look. They are a brighter green compared to similar species, with a distinctive shape and posture. Juveniles undergo two molts in their first autumn, resulting in plumage akin to adult females.

Habitat

The Painted Bunting is often found in thickets, woodland edges, and brushy areas. In the east, it prefers maritime hammocks and scrub communities, and it adapts well to suburban gardens with dense shrubbery.

Distribution

This species has a split breeding range, with populations in the southeastern United States, parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, northern Florida, coastal Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Mexico. They winter in South Florida, Cuba, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America, with occasional vagrants appearing further north.

Behaviour

Painted Buntings are elusive, often remaining hidden in foliage. Males are known for their springtime songs from exposed perches and various visual displays to assert territory or attract mates. They migrate nocturnally over short to medium distances, with some populations molting en route.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a sweet, high-pitched series of melodious whistles, which can be heard during the breeding season as they defend their territories.

Breeding

The species is mostly monogamous, with some instances of polygyny. Nesting occurs in low, dense vegetation, with the female constructing the nest and caring for the young. Clutches typically consist of three to four speckled pale blue-white eggs, with the possibility of a second brood in a season.

Similar Species

The female Painted Bunting can be confused with other green songbirds, but its brighter green plumage and specific shape set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

These buntings forage on the ground, consuming seeds from various grasses, sedges, and forbs. During breeding and when feeding nestlings, they primarily hunt small invertebrates.

Conservation status

The Painted Bunting is currently listed as Least Concern, though populations are declining due to habitat loss. The species is protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act, and trapping for the cage bird trade is illegal, though it may still occur in Central America.