Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Orange-breasted Bunting (Passerina leclancherii), male
Orange-breasted Bunting, Male

Orange-breasted Bunting

Passerina leclancherii

The Orange-breasted Bunting, Passerina leclancherii, is a small, vibrant bird, measuring approximately 12.5 cm in length. The male is particularly striking with a pale green crown, a turquoise blue nape, and upper parts that may have a greenish tinge. Its tail is also turquoise, while the lores, eye-ring, and underparts are a vivid canary yellow, intensifying to a golden-orange upon the breast. The female, in contrast, is more subdued with greyish-green upper parts and yellow underparts. Both sexes have dark brown irises and grey beaks and legs.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Orange-breasted Bunting, look for the male's distinctive coloration with its green crown and blue nape, as well as the bright yellow to orange breast. Females are less colorful but can be recognized by their yellow underparts and greyish-green upper parts. The bird's overall size and shape, similar to other buntings in the genus Passerina, can also aid in identification.

Habitat

This species is found in subtropical or tropical dry forests and shrublands, favoring thorny thickets, bushy deciduous woodland, and edges of clearings. It thrives at altitudes up to 900 meters and is often more abundant in secondary growth than in undisturbed forests.

Distribution

Endemic to Mexico, the Orange-breasted Bunting's range spans from the Pacific coast in southern Nayarit to western Chiapas and inland to western Puebla. Despite its patchy distribution, the species covers a substantial area of approximately 276,000 square kilometers.

Behaviour

Orange-breasted Buntings are social birds, often seen foraging in small groups or pairs. They are not present in some areas of seemingly suitable habitat, indicating a preference for certain environmental conditions.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a plaintive warble, distinguishable from other buntings by its slower and less protracted notes.

Breeding

Breeding occurs during the wet season, typically in May and June. The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of rootlets, grasses, and dry leaves, with a softer lining, situated in low bushes or thick scrub. The female lays a clutch of three to four bluish-white or greenish-white eggs.

Diet and Feeding

While specific dietary studies on the Orange-breasted Bunting are lacking, it is known that buntings in this genus generally consume seeds, with some fruit and invertebrates also forming part of their diet. In captivity, they have been observed eating white millet, hemp seed, thistle seed, hard sweet apples, ant cocoons, and mealworms.

Conservation status

The Orange-breasted Bunting is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thanks to its wide range and large population. There are no significant threats identified, and the population appears to be stable.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Orange-breasted Buntings on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Cardinals & Allies

A photo of a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) , male

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.