Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 4.7–5.1 in
12–13 cm - Weight
- 0.5–0.7 oz
13–19 g
Other Names
- Passerin nonpareil, Bruant nonpareil (French)
- Colorín sietecolores, Gorrión cabeziazul (Spanish)
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
Scrub
Open brushlands, thickets, and scattered woodlands. Along Atlantic coast, also in hedges and yards.
Food
Seeds
Insects, insect larvae, and spiders in breeding season. Seeds in fall and winter.
Nesting
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.
Nest Placement
Shrub
Behavior
Ground Forager
Uses a variety of foraging methods. Can fly up from ground to grab tall grass stems in bill, pull stems to ground, and extract seeds. Also picks insects from spider webs.
Conservation
Near Threatened
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.
Credits
- Lowther, P. E., S. M. Lanyon, and C. W. Thompson. 1999. Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris).In The Birds of North America, No. 398 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.