Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

14 cm (5-6") Common. Southeastern Canada; eastern United States west to Great Plains, range expanding west and southwestern to Arizona, New Mexico, California. Brushy pastures, fields grown to scrub, open clearings, rural roadsides (perches on wires).

Male: rich deep almost iridescent blue overall. No wing bars. Sparrow-like bill. Smaller than similar Blue Grosbeak. In poor light it appears black.

Sings late into August even at midday.

Female: drab brown upperparts. Buffy underparts. Breast is lightly streaked. Resembles female Varied Bunting.

Song: excitable warble.

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Distribution Maps

Indigo Bunting distribution map
Indigo Bunting distribution map
Indigo Bunting winter distribution map
Indigo Bunting winter distribution map