Buntings are some of our most colorful and interesting birds. Males and females are very different in appearance and both sexes are shown below.

There may be a ringer in the group so take care in your identification.

There are four images which rotate every 5 seconds. Name the birds and match them to their behavior or fun fact.

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1. This species has a unique pattern of molt and migration. Individuals begin their prebasic molt during late summer on the breeding grounds, then interrupt this molt and migrate to one of two known molting “hotspots"— southern Arizona and New Mexico and northern Sonora, or the southern tip of Baja California--where they finish molting before continuing their migration to wintering grounds in western Mexico.

2. Males of this species are highly territorial and aggressive toward each other. Fights between males, which include pecking, beating with wings, and grappling, sometimes result in death.

3. This species formerly was placed in its own genus, Guiraca. Similarities with buntings in genetics, behavior, molts, and plumages led to its inclusion in the bunting genus Passerina. Genetic evidence indicates that the Lazuli Bunting is its closest relative.

4. The sequences of notes in songs of this species are unique to local neighborhoods. Males a few hundred meters apart generally have different songs. Males on neighboring territories often have the same or nearly identical songs.  Male Lazuli Bunting’s exhibit similar behavior.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answers.

Answers:

Bird 1: Indigo Bunting--Fact 4
Bird 2: Blue Grosbeak--Fact 3
Bird 3: Painted Bunting--Fact 2
Bird 4: Lazuli Bunting--Fact 1