Painted Bunting
Image: Kasey Myers (cc-by-nc)
NamePainted Bunting
Common NamePainted Bunting
Scientific NamePasserina ciris
FamilyCardinalidae
Wingspan (cm)22
Length (cm)13
Weight (g)16
Plumage DetailsAdult males are strikingly colored with a deep blue head, bright red underparts, and a green back. Females and immature birds, like the one pictured, are primarily olive-green above and yellowish-green below, often with a pale eye-ring, providing excellent camouflage.
Vocalization / CallThe song is a sweet, high-pitched warble, consisting of a series of short, clear notes that vary in pitch and tempo. Calls include a sharp 'chip' or 'chick' sound.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsshrubland, woodland edges, grassland, coastal thickets, gardens
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in two distinct populations in the United States: one in the southeastern coastal plain (Florida, Georgia, Carolinas) and another in the south-central states (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas). Winters in southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuresmale's iridescent blue head, red underparts, and green back, female's bright olive-green plumage with pale eye-ring, small size and conical bill, shy behavior, often hidden in dense foliage
Description
The Painted Bunting is a small, vibrant songbird, with males displaying an exceptionally colorful plumage. Females and immatures are more subtly colored, typically a duller green-yellow. They are often shy, preferring to forage for seeds and insects in dense vegetation.
