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.
Blue
Green
Green
Red, Green
Brown
Brown
Green
Green
Green
Cone
Grey
Grey
Grey
Grey
Grey
Grey
Brightly colored plumage in males
Less brightly colored than males
Similar to adult female
Short and green
Short and green
Short and green
12cm to 14cm
Length
21cm to 23cm
Wingspan
13g to 19g
Weight
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
High-pitched, buzzing song
Series of clear, sweet notes
Sharp 'chip' sound
Active during the day, feeds in morning and evening
Solitary or in pairs during breeding season, may form small flocks in winter
Males vigorously defend territory during breeding season
Migrates between breeding and wintering areas
Generally peaceful, may squabble with other buntings over food or territory
Seeds, Insects, Spiders
Forages on ground and in shrubs
Dawn and dusk
Gleaning
Diet varies with season and location
None known
Shrubs or small trees
Small, neat cup of grasses, twigs, and leaves
Late spring to early summer
Usually two
Pale blue, with light speckling
Approximately 2cm x 1.5cm
3-4 eggs
Around 11-12 days
Approximately 2 weeks
Both parents feed young, but only female incubates eggs
Southern U.S., Mexico, Central America
Woodlands, thickets, gardens
Lowland to 1200m
Migrates between breeding and wintering areas
Forest, Grassland
Temperate, Subtropical
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.
Distribution notes
Vagrant in Jamaica
Resident or Present
Non-breeding
5
17
7 year(s)
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Monogamous, often returns to same breeding site
Males develop bright plumage in second year
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Habitat loss, illegal trapping for cage-bird trade
Protected by law in U.S., conservation programs in place in many areas
Population thought to be sightly declining due to habitat loss and trapping, but considered stable due to large numbers
Other names:
Nonpareil
Family:
CardinalidaePopulation size:
14,000,000
Population trend:
Stable
Conservation status:
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
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