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 unmistakable with a deep blue head, bright green back, and brilliant red underparts. Females and immatures are uniformly dull olive-green above and paler yellowish-green below, sometimes with a faint eye-ring.
Vocalization / CallThe song is a sweet, warbling series of notes, often described as similar to a House Finch or Indigo Bunting, but more complex. Calls include a sharp 'chip' or 'tsik' note.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsbrushy areas, woodland edges, overgrown fields, suburban gardens, coastal scrub, riparian thickets
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeBreeds in two distinct populations: one in the southeastern US (Florida, Georgia, Carolinas) and another in the south-central US (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas). Winters in southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuresmale's vibrant blue head, green back, and red underparts, female's plain olive-green plumage, small, finch-like bill, shy, skulking behavior, distinctive warbling song
Description
The Painted Bunting is a small, finch-like bird known for the male's extraordinarily vibrant plumage. Males display a striking combination of blue, green, and red, while females and immatures are a more subdued olive-green. Despite their bright colors, they are often shy and prefer to stay hidden in dense vegetation.
