No results found for ""

Tap search to view all possible matches

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

This kaleidoscope of feathers turns heads with its vibrant rainbow plumage, making it one of North America's most colorful songbirds.
Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The male Painted Bunting is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, with a bright blue head, red underparts, and green back. Its wings show a mix of green and reddish-brown, creating a striking contrast.

Females and juveniles are a uniform bright green above with yellowish-green underparts. This stark difference in plumage between sexes is a classic example of sexual dimorphism in birds.

Size

Length

12cm to 14cm

Wingspan

21cm to 23cm

Weight

13g to 19g

Colours

Primary Colour

Blue Red Green

Secondary Colour

Yellow Purple

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Green

Secondary Colour (Female)

Yellow

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Painted Bunting can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Painted Bunting can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Painted Bunting is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Painted Buntings inhabit semi-open areas with scattered trees and shrubs, including woodland edges, thickets, and overgrown fields.

In the United States, they breed in two distinct populations: along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida and in the south-central states from Texas to Mississippi.

During winter, they migrate to Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, and parts of Central America. Some individuals may overwinter in southern parts of their breeding range, particularly in coastal areas.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,700 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Painted Bunting. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Mexico United States of America
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Cayman Islands Jamaica

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Stay informed about Painted Bunting and other fascinating birds, with expert bird watching tips, as well as relevant seasonal information.

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Painted Bunting demonstrates considerable agility, adeptly hopping and fluttering between branches in dense vegetation. Their ability to navigate through thickets and forage on the ground whilst remaining elusive suggests a high degree of manoeuvrability.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small songbird, the Painted Bunting possesses moderate strength relative to its size. Its stout beak allows it to crack open seeds, indicating some muscular capability, but it's not particularly strong compared to larger bird species.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Painted Buntings show good adaptability, inhabiting various semi-open areas from woodland edges to overgrown fields. Their ability to adjust their diet seasonally, switching between seeds and insects, further demonstrates their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 55

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During breeding season, male Painted Buntings become more assertive, defending territories and singing from exposed perches. However, their generally shy and secretive nature suggests they're not overly aggressive outside of this period.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

As long-distance migrants, Painted Buntings possess considerable endurance. Their ability to travel between breeding grounds in the United States and wintering areas in Central America requires significant stamina. However, their small size may limit their overall endurance compared to larger migratory species.

Diet

Painted Buntings primarily feed on seeds, particularly those of grasses and forbs. During breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects and spiders, crucial for feeding nestlings.

They often forage on the ground or in low vegetation, using their stout beaks to crack open seeds.

Behaviour

Painted Buntings are typically shy and secretive, often hiding in dense vegetation. They forage on the ground or in low shrubs, hopping and fluttering between branches.

During the breeding season, males become more conspicuous, perching on exposed branches to sing and defend their territories.

Vocalisation

The Painted Bunting's song is a series of high-pitched, sweet, warbling notes, often described as 'plik plik plik-o-lee chee-wee'.

Males sing persistently during the breeding season, especially in the early morning. Their call is a soft, metallic 'chip' or 'tink' sound used for communication between pairs or to signal an alarm.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Painted Buntings typically begins in late April to early May. Males establish territories and attract females with their vibrant plumage and melodious songs.

Females construct cup-shaped nests in dense vegetation, usually 3-6 feet above the ground. The nest is made of grasses, leaves, and bark, lined with finer materials. A typical clutch consists of 3-4 pale blue or greenish-white eggs with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 11-12 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 8-9 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

Although listed as Least Concern, the Painted Bunting faces threats to habitat loss and fragmentation. Coastal development in its breeding range and deforestation in wintering grounds pose significant threats.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable habitats, particularly in coastal areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

15,000,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for males singing from exposed perches during the breeding season
  • Search dense, shrubby areas near forest edges or fields
  • Listen for their distinctive, high-pitched warbling song
  • In the US, visit coastal areas of the Southeast during the summer months
  • Be patient and quiet, as these birds can be shy and elusive

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Nonpareil

Family:

Cardinalidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

12 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and birds of prey such as hawks and owls.

Did You Know?

  1. Male Painted Buntings don't acquire their colorful plumage until their second year.
  2. They are sometimes called 'Nonpareil', French for 'without equal', due to their exceptional beauty.
  3. Painted Buntings can live up to 12 years in the wild, though the average lifespan is shorter.

References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Passerina ciris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22723957A131475071.

    View source
  2. 2

    website, 2018: Partners in Flight

    View source
  3. 4

    book, 1980: John Terres, The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds

Share Your Feedback

We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.

Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your input.