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

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