#Indigo blue bunting bird full#
#Indigo blue bunting bird series#

Now let’s dive into the details, and take a closer look at each of these birds: Eastern Bluebird Keep in mind that out of these 17 bird species, only two are entirely blue (the Indigo Bunting and Mountain Bluebird), while the others are partially blue colored birds.

#Indigo blue bunting bird full#

There are 17 types of blue-colored birds in North America, which we cover in full detail below. What are the types of blue birds in North America? We’ll show you the birds that are either entirely or partially blue, and we’ll also cover where you can expect to find these birds. To help you identify the bird you came across, we’ll cover all the types of blue birds that can be seen in North America. Additional food sources for these birds include weed seeds, wild berries, and grain.Did you spot a blue-colored bird in your backyard? In that case you’ll probably want to know what species you saw. Indigo Buntings forage on the ground and in low foliage for insects such as spiders. Sometimes the male will still be feeding the first fledglings while the female begins building a second nest. If you get near the nest they will give a 'spit' call and flick their tail.ġ - 2 broods raised each year. These birds are very reluctant to approach the nest if humans are close by. The young will leave the nest within 10 to 15 days after hatching. The male does not feed the female and helps little with the young. Once hatched, the female feeds the young.

Incubation is done by the female only and lasts about 12 days. The female lays 2 to 6 bluish unmarked eggs. Located 5 to 15 feet above the ground in a bush, small tree, or tangle. The nest is a well-made cup of grass, leaves, bark strips and lined with finer grasses and downy material.

Nest site selection is done by the female and she alone builds the nest. Not much is known about the Indigo Bunting's mating habits other than to say, singing from an uppermost perch is likely done to attract a prospective mate and protect his territory. Their plain plumage and secretive nature during nesting make them hard to add to the birder's list. The female is a plain brown, with faint wing bars and faint streaking. The feathers don't contain any blue pigment but the diffracted sunlight gives the feathers the appearance of blue. It takes the sun's light to see the iridescent blue of this bird. In winter the male is brownish with some blue on underparts. In summer, the male is dark blue overall. Measuring 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches in length and has a sparrow-like dark gray conical bill. It is a short, single-note call used to maintain contact with other birds during movement.Ĭontact Call: The contact call is a soft, high-pitched, and mellow note used by individuals to stay in touch with each other, particularly when foraging in close proximity.

This call is usually made during aggressive encounters or territorial disputes.įlight Call: The flight call is a distinct 'pseep' or 'seeep' sound that the Indigo Bunting emits during flight.

#Indigo blue bunting bird series#

It is often used for short-distance communication between individuals or as an alarm call when the bird senses potential danger.Ĭhatter Call: The chatter call is a series of high-pitched, rapid, and repetitive notes that sound like a buzzing or chattering sound. These calls serve as contact calls, alarms, or communication signals.Ĭhip Call: The chip call is a short, sharp 'chip' or 'tik' sound. The melody often contains several introductory notes followed by a rapid series of high-pitched, slurred notes, ending with a distinct downward or upward note.Īpart from its song, the Indigo Bunting also produces various calls. The male sings with great enthusiasm and can produce a varied repertoire of songs. The song consists of short, clear, and rapid notes that are delivered in a cascading manner. It is characterized by its high-pitched, musical quality. The Song: The Indigo Bunting's song is a series of rich, melodic notes that are often described as a jumbled, warbling phrase. One of the best ways to locate these birds is to learn the song as you'll usually hear them before seeing them.