Bluer than a Bluebird

Birdorable Indigo Bunting

We recently added the Indigo Bunting to Birdorable. These birds are named for the striking bright blue plumage found in breeding males.

Indigo bunting
Indigo bunting by Henry McLin, on Flickr

Like many passerine birds, for safety the Indigo Bunting often migrates overnight. They use the stars as a directional tool in their travels. In captivity, since they cannot migrate, Indigo Buntings may experience disorientation in April and May and in September and October if they cannot see the stars from their cages.

Indigo Bunting
Indigo Bunting by drivebybiscuits1, on Flickr

We can expect Indigo Buntings to return here to northern Illinois very soon. They will visit back yard feeders and the males especially are hard to miss.

American Goldfinch and Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch and Indigo Bunting by jackanapes, on Flickr

You can also listen for their song, which some birders describe as sounding like "fire! fire! where? where? here! here! see it? see it?"

Calling For Love
Calling For Love by Chad Horwedel, on Flickr

Indigo Buntings summer across much of the eastern part of the United States. Do you have Indigo Buntings where you live? Have they already returned? While you wait, be sure to check out our cute Birdorable Indigo Bunting t-shirts & gifts! :)

Comments

Ashira on April 26, 2010 at 12:55 PM wrote:
ADORABLE! <3 I also LOVE your new mergy. I've been wanting one of those on here for months now : D

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Birdorable Introduces the Ring-necked Dove: A Trilling Resident of African Landscapes

Today we introduce a new species of Birdorable dove – it’s our Ring-necked Dove! Ring-necked Doves, scientifically known as Streptopelia capicola, are a familiar sight across the vast savannahs and lush landscapes of southern Africa. With their distinctive trilling calls resonating through...

Nature's Snowy Disguise: Turning White for Winter

Some birds have an incredible trick for surviving the winter: they change the color of their feathers to blend in with snowy landscapes. This seasonal camouflage helps them avoid predators and stay warm in harsh environments. One of the most famous examples is the Rock Ptarmigan. Rock Ptarmigans...

It's Time for Crane Week!

Welcome to Crane Week! We're celebrating the world's crane species this week on the Birdorable blog, with crane facts and crane fun! Stay tuned to the blog throughout the week to learn about this family of large, long-legged birds. To start off the week, here's a look back at...

Meet the Siberian Sand Plover: A Migratory Marvel

Today's flashy new shorebird is known for breeding in remote parts of Siberia -- it's the Siberian Sand-Plover! The Siberian Sand-Plover, known by several other names, including the Lesser Sand Plover, is a small, chunky wading bird that breeds in the high-altitude tundra of Siberia and Central...