A bird that brings both brilliant color and vibrant song to my small patch of the world is the Indigo Bunting. The male bunting is as blue as the male cardinal is red. And seeing both colorful birds together at my feeder is a wonderful treat. But so is hearing the bunting’s rich, musical warble. (Photo courtesy of Charles H. Warren.)
I often see a male bunting, perched like a bright blue ornament atop a spruce, pine, or other evergreen, singing for all to hear, especially as the day wanes toward dusk. How considerate of the bunting to pose and sing from such prominent locations.
However, I must admit that while I frequently see and hear the male throughout the spring and summer, I seldom catch sight of the female, a light brownish-bird, with perhaps only the faintest blush of her mate’s brilliance on her wings, tail, or rump. Neither do I see females at my feeder, which I don’t quite understand, unless I’m simply overlooking them.
Perhaps I should start looking more vigilantly for the female. I think I will. And if you’ve never noticed a bluer-than-blue bird at a feeder or atop a tree singing, maybe you should search out the male Indigo Bunting.
Until next time . . . happy birding!
Georgia Anne
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