Painted Bunting Bird Facts (Passerina ciris)

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Least Concern

Regarded as one of North America's most colorful birds, the Painted Bunting is a vibrant spectacle often spotted in the southern United States. With a dazzling blend of blue, red, and green plumage, this small bird is a sight to behold. Despite its tropical parrot-like appearance, the Painted Bunting is quite at home in woodland thickets and backyard gardens, delighting bird watchers with its brilliant display and sweet, high-pitched song.

Appearance and Identification

Male Female Juvenile

Primary Color

Blue

Primary Color (female)

Green

Primary Color (juvenile)

Green

Secondary Colors

Red, Green

Secondary Colors (female)

Brown

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

Brown

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

Green

Wing Color (female)

Green

Wing Color (juvenile)

Green

Beak Type

Cone

Beak Color

Grey

Beak Color (female)

Grey

Beak Color (juvenile)

Grey

Leg Color

Grey

Leg Color (female)

Grey

Leg Color (juvenile)

Grey

Distinctive Markings

Brightly colored plumage in males

Distinctive Markings (female)

Less brightly colored than males

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Similar to adult female

Tail Description

Short and green

Tail Description (female)

Short and green

Tail Description (juvenile)

Short and green

Size Metrics

12cm to 14cm

Length

21cm to 23cm

Wingspan

13g to 19g

Weight

Photos

Click on an image below to see the full-size version

Pair of Painted Buntings, Female (left) and male (right)

Painted Bunting bathing in a bird bath

Female Painted Bunting feeding on seeds

Painted Bunting in-flight

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

High-pitched, buzzing song

Call Description

Series of clear, sweet notes

Alarm Calls

Sharp 'chip' sound

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Active during the day, feeds in morning and evening

Social Habits

Solitary or in pairs during breeding season, may form small flocks in winter

Territorial Behavior

Males vigorously defend territory during breeding season

Migratory Patterns

Migrates between breeding and wintering areas

Interaction with Other Species

Generally peaceful, may squabble with other buntings over food or territory

Diet

Primary Diet

Seeds, Insects, Spiders

Feeding Habits

Forages on ground and in shrubs

Feeding Times

Dawn and dusk

Prey Capture Method

Gleaning

Diet Variations

Diet varies with season and location

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

None known

Nesting

Nesting Location

Shrubs or small trees

Nest Construction

Small, neat cup of grasses, twigs, and leaves

Breeding Season

Late spring to early summer

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

Usually two

Egg Appearance

Pale blue, with light speckling

Egg Size

Approximately 2cm x 1.5cm

Clutch Characteristics

3-4 eggs

Incubation Period

Around 11-12 days

Fledgling Period

Approximately 2 weeks

Parental Care

Both parents feed young, but only female incubates eggs

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Southern U.S., Mexico, Central America

Habitat Description

Woodlands, thickets, gardens

Elevation Range

Lowland to 1200m

Migration Patterns

Migrates between breeding and wintering areas

Biome

Forest, Grassland

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.