I have seen Painted Buntings on seven occasions this year. They have been in my yard in my peach orchard and in my yard in a glade area of pines, switch grass, and cedars; lots of rocks too. Not sure yet if they are nesting here; but got about 5 pictures of two of the males. Incidentally, they are a THREATENED species and declining rapidly. They are generally a southern bird; Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, but are known in Mississippi and Arkansas; a large pollution once was known in Clarksville, AR. inn the Arkansas River.
Adult Description
- Small, bright finch.
- Male unmistakable with red chest, blue head, and green back.
- Female bright greenish yellow.
Male Description
Head and nape blue. Back shiny green. Rump, throat, chest, flanks, belly, and undertail coverts red. Eyering red. Wings and tail dark gray.
Female Description
Crown, nape, and back rather bright olive-green. Throat, chest, and belly yellow-green. Head may show some blue feathers.
Immature Description
Cool Facts
- The western population of Painted Buntings begins its fall migration before molting, molts in staging areas in southern Arizona and northern Mexico, then continues to migrate further south. This migration-molt pattern is common among waterfowl but very rare among songbirds. In contrast to the western population, the eastern population of Painted Buntings molts on its breeding grounds before migration.
- Male Painted Buntings are highly territorial and aggressive toward each other. Fights between males, which include pecking, beating with wings, and grappling, sometimes result in death.
- Habitat
Open brushlands, thickets, and scattered woodlands. Along Atlantic coast, also in hedges and yards.
Insects, insect larvae, and spiders in breeding season. Seeds in fall and winter.
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 1–5 eggs
- Egg Description
- Grayish or bluish-white with gray or brown speckles.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless with sparse down.
Nest Description
A deep, neatly woven cup of plant fibers, lined with hair or fine grass. Usually placed in low vegetation.
One male in my orchard
another in a brushy pine and cedar thicket
Female Painted Bunting (Greenie)
another Male Painted Bunting
Breeding Bird Survey data show a steady decline in overall population since 1965. Males are targets of trappers for the cage-bird trade, especially in Mexico. Listed as a species of special concern on the Partners in Flight WatchList.
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