Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

The Indigo Bunting is one of the most abundant songbirds in parts of the eastern United States.  They avoid unbroken forest, strongly prefering forest edges and brushy thickets.  They are thus likely much more numerous today than in historical times due to man's disturbance of the landscape

Habitat: Prefers brushy areas for breeding, such as woodland edges, shelterbelts, brushy fields, and 2nd-growth forest.

Diet: Primarily feeds on insects and spiders during summer breeding months.  Will also feed on seeds and berries, especially in the winter.

Nesting: June and July

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Indigo Bunting song

Migrations: Summers through the entire eastern United States and portions of the Southwest.  Winters in southern Florida, extreme southern Texas, Mexico, and southward.

Similar Species: Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting.  See the Identification Tips page for differentiating between these species.

Feeders: Will come to feeders for small seeds and grains.

Status: Has extended range into much of the southwestern United States, but at the same time, has decreased in numbers in areas of intense agriculture and urban development.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Indigo Bunting

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Indigo Bunting"

3) eNature.com: Indigo Bunting

Photo Information: July 10th, 2004 -- Perry Nature Area east of Sioux Falls -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Indigo Bunting photos.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08