Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
In French, they are called 'nonpareil', meaning 'without equal', referring to the male's unmatched multicolored plumage.
- Scientific name
- Passerina ciris
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Cardinalidae › Passerina
- IUCN Red List status
- Near Threatened
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, brushy roadsides, overgrown fields, and suburban gardens.
- Diet
- Primarily seeds (grasses and grains) and small insects like caterpillars and beetles.
- Range
- Southeast USA, South Central USA, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
- Size
- 12-14 cm length, 13-19 g weight
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, window collisions, and the illegal caged bird trade.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe from a distance with binoculars to avoid flushing them from cover; they are shy and easily startled. Do not disturb nesting sites. If you find an injured bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.
The painted bunting ( Passerina ciris ) is a species of bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae, that is native to North America. The bright plumage of the male only comes in the second year of life; in the first year they can only be distinguished from the female by close inspection.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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