Indigo Bunting
Image: mtart (cc-by-nc)
NameIndigo Bunting
Common NameIndigo Bunting
Scientific NamePasserina cyanea
FamilyCardinalidae
Wingspan (cm)20
Length (cm)13
Weight (g)14.5
Plumage DetailsAdult breeding males are entirely deep indigo blue, appearing blackish in poor light. Females are plain brown with faint streaking on the underparts, often showing a bluish tint on the wings and tail. Non-breeding males and immatures resemble females but may have more extensive blue mottling.
Vocalization / CallThe song is a high-pitched, rapid, warbling series of paired notes, often described as 'sweet-sweet, where-where, here-here, see-it, see-it'. Calls include a sharp 'spik' and a soft 'tsip'.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest edges, shrublands, overgrown fields, roadsides, clearings
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across eastern North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters in southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuresbrilliant indigo blue plumage (breeding male), plain brown plumage with bluish wash (female/immature), conical bill, distinctive warbling song, often flicks tail
Description
The Indigo Bunting is a small, seed-eating songbird. Breeding males are a brilliant iridescent blue, while females and immatures are mostly brown with a faint bluish wash on the wings and tail. They are often found in shrubby habitats and known for their distinctive warbling song.
