Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
In winter, the male Indigo Bunting changes to an unassuming coat of pale brown, sometimes streaked or flecked in blue, but come spring they transform into one of the most striking birds one might hope to see. The brilliant blue displayed by these birds does not come from pigmented feathers, but a prism effect. Because of the structure of their feathers, it bends and projects this bright indigo color.
Today’s science tells us this species is monotypic, meaning there are no recognised subspecies. Most of these birds breed in the USA, east of the Rocky Mountains and spend winters either in southern Mexico or Central America, but Florida, the West Indies, and the Caribbean Islands also host a winter population.
When Indigo Buntings migrate, birds breeding in the eastern USA and southern Canada usually winter further east than those birds breeding in the west. Researchers have conducted experiments with captive birds in planetariums and learned these birds migrate at night, and used the stars for navigational guidance.
Until I visited south Texas in 2020, I’d never met these avian jewels. When I returned to the region in 2021, I was pleased to make their acquaintance again.
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Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
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Description: I've tried to meet the Indigo Bunting in California, but was unsuccesful. Texas provided me with better luck. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 17:19 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D505485-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: I've tried to meet the Indigo Bunting in California, but was unsuccesful. Texas provided me with better luck. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 17:19 |
|
Location:
Atascosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D505497-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: I've tried to meet the Indigo Bunting in California, but was unsuccesful. Texas provided me with better luck. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 17:19 |
|
Location:
Atascosa NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D505501-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Prior to going to the Convention Center, I visited the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary and met birds, including this winter male bunting foraging on tall grass seeds. Last spring I learned how productive South Padre Island can be for birding. This was my first visit in winter, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:19 11:16 |
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Location:
Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X2314-SouthPadreIsland |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Prior to going to the Convention Center, I visited the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary and met birds, including this winter male bunting foraging on tall grass seeds. Last spring I learned how productive South Padre Island can be for birding. This was my first visit in winter, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:19 11:18 |
|
Location:
Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X2385-SouthPadreIsland |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings spend their winters in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:02 12:55 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X0205-SPI_ConventionCentre |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings spend their winters in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:02 12:57 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X0238-SPI_ConventionCentre |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings spend their winters in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:02 11:34 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X9849-SPI_ConventionCentre |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:42 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5503-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:42 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5513-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:40 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5456-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:33 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5406-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:39 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5429-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:32 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5383-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have been present for a week, but there seemed to be more of them today than recent days. I had an exceptional day at the SPI Convention Centre. I met three new bird species: Veery, Dickcissel, and Black-Billed Cuckoo. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:15 10:41 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5483-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings arrived with the flood of warblers. This weekend provided the “perfect storm” for a warbler fallout on South Padre Island; a cold north wind, rain, and a ton of birds trying to head north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:17 10:26 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/180 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X6199-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Getting the subject's identity while taking its picture can be a challenge. This Indigo Bunting looked like a finch to me while I was struggling to get an image while it darted in and out of view. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:11 10:42 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X4176-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings have had a presence here for over a week now. Sunday was a day when the birds and then birders increased their respective presence on South Padre Island. Both are to be expected as spring migration steps up the bird numbers moving through on their way north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:11 11:23 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X4266-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings arrived with the flood of warblers. This weekend provided the “perfect storm” for a warbler fallout on South Padre Island; a cold north wind, rain, and a ton of birds trying to head north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:17 10:24 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X6193-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Indigo Buntings arrived with the flood of warblers. This weekend provided the “perfect storm” for a warbler fallout on South Padre Island; a cold north wind, rain, and a ton of birds trying to head north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:17 11:02 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X6274-SPI_ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
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Description: In the past few days we began seeing three different bunting species (Painted, Indigo, and Varied), complicating the process of identification. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:04 14:37 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X5741_SPI-ConventionCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea) |
|
Description: Most of the male Indigo Buntings passed through south Texas weeks earlier. At his time, the girls dominated the scene, except for this boy. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:06 16:25 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: IndigoBunting_D5X7146_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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