One of our smaller but prettier birds to me is the rich sky-blue Indigo Bunting. These summer nesters visit the mid-west to the Atlantic coast , and the Gulf states north to Canada. they began to populate southern Canada in the 1970s and may be expanding on into Canada as the climate warms. They are about 51/2 inches long, male is solid blue with darker wing and tail stripes, female is brown with a lighter breast. For a complete description, behavior, and life history, please see the Cornell Bird Guide at this link. These birds can be found in brushy fields, especially along field edges near small trees and bushes. In spite of the male's bright blue color, they can be hard to see against the blue sky.
The pictures below were taken in the past few weeks in fields near Greenville, N.C. I find it harder to see females so you will see that I have many more male photos. I was lucky to get a pic of a courting pair. An interesting fact about these birds is that they migrate at night and are able to track the stars. Enjoy the pics below.
The pictures below were taken in the past few weeks in fields near Greenville, N.C. I find it harder to see females so you will see that I have many more male photos. I was lucky to get a pic of a courting pair. An interesting fact about these birds is that they migrate at night and are able to track the stars. Enjoy the pics below.
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