indigo bunting

1. Bird Name
English Name: Indigo Bunting
Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea

2. Appearance
Aptly named, the male Indigo Bunting is drenched in vibrant, almost iridescent, indigo blue. The female is a much subtler figure, dressed in a soft mixture of brown and blue with a touch of orange. Both genders have a short and straight beak which suits their primarily seed-eating habits. Their eyes are dark, a deep contrast to their feather colors. A curious physical trait of the male Indigo Bunting is that the bright, breathtaking blue of his feathers is a result of light interference rather than pigment.

3. Size
On average, Indigo Buntings measure about 13 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 20 to 23 cm. Although petite, they vary in weight from 14 to 16 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Indigo Buntings are found across North America, with their range stretching from Canada to Central America. They’re usually found in increasingly disturbed habitats such as pastures, hedgerows, and woodland edges. These birds migrate south during winter, resonating in Central America and northern South America.

5. Interesting Facts
Indigo Buntings are astoundingly skilled navigators, using stellar maps of the night sky for orientation during their long-distance migratory journeys. The males are also relentless and known to sing more than 200 songs per hour at dawn.

6. Diet
Indigo Buntings primarily consume various types of seeds, as well as insects, berries, and grains. During the breeding season, they scatter their diet with an increase in insect intake to enhance protein supply.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Indigo Buntings establish their breeding territories with their brilliant song, sung almost tirelessly from dawn to dusk. Their songs consist of high-pitch notes rapidly produced in a series of pairs. They are also known to build low nesting sites, often in shrubs or small trees.

8. Conservation Status
Currently, Indigo Buntings have a status of ‘Least Concern’ according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of Indigo Buntings can be up to 15 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
Although Indigo Buntings are not endangered, changes in farming practices and loss of hedgerows could potentially affect their population in the future. Preserving their preferred habitats is of vital importance to ensure their survival. It’s also worth noting that they are often found near power lines or other manmade structures that mimic the sparse woodland edges they favor for singing perches. They can sometimes be seen in bird feeders in gardens or backyards, contributing significantly to bird-watching experiences in these regions.