Adult males look like flying jewels: blue head, red breast, green back. Most colorful North American songbird. Females and immature males are bright yellow-green. Heavy illegal trapping for cage-bird trade in wintering range continues to threaten populations.

Also called: Nonpareil

Native status: Native; near threatened

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in); wingspan 20–22 cm
Weight13–19 g
LifespanWild typically 5–10 years; oldest documented 12
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCardinalidae

§ Encyclopedia

The painted bunting is a species of bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is native to North America. The bright plumage of the male develops beginning in the second year of life; in the first year, they can be distinguished from the female only by close inspection.

Source: Wikipedia — Painted bunting Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Adult males: blue head, green back, red underparts and rump — unmistakable. Females and immature males: bright yellow-green throughout. Takes 2 years for males to acquire adult plumage.

Similar species. Indigo Bunting (males solid blue). Lazuli Bunting (different markings, no green back). Female buntings difficult to separate.

Voice. Sweet warbling song from elevated perch.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (preferred), insects (especially during breeding).

Behavior. Most colorful US songbird. Two disjunct breeding populations: eastern (Atlantic coast SC–FL) and central (LA–TX–OK). Heavily trapped in winter range (Mexico, Caribbean, Central America) for the illegal cage-bird trade — a major continuing threat. Eastern population highly site-faithful; pairs return to same coastal scrub.

§ Range

Southeastern coastal US and south-central US in summer; winters Mexico, Central America, Caribbean

§ Habitat

Brushy thickets, garden edges, suburbs with dense cover

§ Threats

Tropical illegal capture for cage-bird trade, brushy habitat loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the painted bunting is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support coastal scrub conservation. Oppose songbird trafficking. Maintain native brushy edges.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Painted Bunting Observer Team
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • IUCN Red List 2018