Painted Bunting
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/28426323@N08">Jorge Elías</a> from Miami, Florida (CC BY 2.0)
NamePainted Bunting
Common NamePainted Bunting
Scientific NamePasserina ciris
FamilyCardinalidae
Wingspan (cm)21
Length (cm)13
Weight (g)16
Plumage DetailsFemales and immatures, as pictured, display a bright lime-green plumage on their back, head, and wings, with a paler yellowish-green underside. They have a pale eye-ring and a dark, conical bill. Adult males are unmistakable with an iridescent blue head, green back, and red underparts.
Vocalization / CallTheir song is a sweet, high-pitched warble, often described as a series of short, rapid phrases. Common calls include a sharp 'chip' or 'tchip' note.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsshrubland, forest edge, grassland, coastal scrub
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeBreeds in two main populations: one in the southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Carolinas) and another in the south-central US (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana). Winters in southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuressmall size, conical bill, bright lime-green plumage (female/immature), iridescent blue, green, and red plumage (male), distinctive warbling song
Description
The Painted Bunting is a small, vibrant songbird known for its striking plumage. Females and immatures are a bright lime-green, while males are famously multi-colored with blue, green, and red. They are often found in dense shrubbery, feeding on seeds and insects.
