Pl. LVII
The Birds · Plate LVII
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Cardinalidae · Taxon 10227
| Length | 4.7–5.1 in (12–13 cm) |
| Wingspan | 7.5–8.7 in (19–22 cm) |
| Weight | 0.4–0.6 oz (12–18 g) |
Field marks
- Small, stocky, sparrow-sized bunting with a short tail.
- Adult breeding male is vivid indigo-blue overall, often richer blue on the head.
- Short, thick, conical bill; silver-gray in breeding males.
- Dark eye and dark legs contrast subtly with the blue plumage.
- Wings and tail are darker blue-black, with compact rounded proportions.
- Females and immatures are brownish with a pale throat, faint breast streaking, and occasional blue on wing, tail, or rump.
HabitatBrushy, weedy edge habitats: hedgerows, overgrown fields and pastures, woodland margins, clearings, and shrubby vegetation near open ground.
BehaviorForages for seeds and insects in low vegetation; males sing from exposed high perches and may swish the tail while perched. Migratory movements are chiefly nocturnal.
Palette
indigo bluedeep cobalt blueblue-blacksilver-graywarm brown