The indigo bunting is the only solid blue bird in the eastern United States, but it’s all an illusion — literally a trick of the light. Male Indigo Buntings sing from treetops, shrubs, and telephone lines all summer. Among the American buntings are the indigo bunting, in which the summer plumage of the male reflects sunlight as a rich, metallic blue; the painted bunting, or nonpareil (Passerina cirisClick the link for more information. Indigo Bunting: Small finch with brilliant, almost iridescent, blue plumage. Like other blue-colored birds, the indigo bunting lacks the blue pigment. When not singing from the tallest perches in the area, they can often be seen foraging among seed-laden shrubs and grasses. Sparrow-sized, stocky bird with a short tail and a conical bill. Often confused with the Blue Grosbeak, the Indigo Bunting is all blue with black wing edges while the Blue Grosbeak has obvious rusty bars on its wings. The size was 4" to 4.5". Its jewel-like color is the result of the microscopic structures on its feathers which alter and replicate the blue light, just like the aerial particles that make the sky appear blue. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. Note tinges of blue at shoulder and in tail; otherwise, plumage is brown with faint streaks on the breast and a whitish throat. Females are plain buffy brown with faint wingbars and slightly brighter breast. This genetic study shows these species diverged between 4.1 and 7.3 million years ago. However, the Blue Grosbeak has prominent rusty wing-bars, a much larger and heavier beak, is larger in size, and is found in more open habitats than Indigo Buntings. During non-breeding seasons, they may appear patchy blue and brown. Sing from tops of shrubs during the breeding season. Like Black-throated Blue Warbler and Scarlet Tanager, the Indigo Bunting is a sexually dimorphic species. They have a conical silver-grey bill and a short rounded tail. Sparrow-sized but finchlike in appearance with a conical bill. Crown is darker blue with a purple tint. [12] The immature bird resembles the female in coloring, although a male may have hints of blue on the tail and shoulders and have darker streaks on the underside. Feeds on insects, larvae, grains, seeds, berries. [17] The indigo bunting does not drink frequently, generally obtaining sufficient water from its diet. Breeding males are bright blue overall, with slightly richer blue on the head. Indigo Buntings, Passerina cyanea The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) - also known as Indigo Bird or Indigo Painted Finch - is a small North American finch-like bird. It displays sexual dimorphism in its coloration; the male is vibrant blue in the summer, with brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate. [11] During the breeding season, the adult male appears mostly a vibrant cerulean blue. Note normal bill (not grosbeak sized) and compact proportions with short tail. Start Your Free Trial to Continue Reading Start my Free Trial Most pairs raise two broods per year, and the male may feed newly fledged young while the females incubate the next clutch of eggs. Short flights low over vegetation, alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides. This is the only time … One exception is the aptly named Blue-Black Grassquit or Jacarina Finch (Volatinia jacarina).). The Blue Grosbeak can be confused with the Indigo Bunting, as both share overall blue bodies with darker wings and tail. Adult males have deep blue plumage; the wing and tail are black with blue edges. Found in weedy and brushy areas, especially where fields meet forests. Learn about the types of finches and buntings you can spot in your area, and find out how to attract them. The beak is short and conical. During their adolescence, the male Indigo Bunting may remind you of a bad tie-dye project, they are a very patchy brown and blue. Feeds on insects, larvae, grains, seeds, berries. Females and immatures are a warm cocoa-brown overall. Females are basically brown, with faint streaking on the breast, a whitish throat, and sometimes a touch of blue on the wings, tail, or rump. The indigo bunting is closely related to the lazuli bunting and interbreeds with the species where their ranges overlap. The indigo bunting is included in the family Cardinalidae, which is made up of passerine birds found in North and South America, and is one of seven birds in the genus Passerina. [10][2] Body mass averages 14.5 g (0.51 oz), with a reported range of 11.2–21.4 g (0.40–0.75 oz). 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