The Weekly Chirp: Painted Buntings

As with most bird species, the males are more colorful and certainly recognizable, whereas the female colors are more subdued.  Many times it is difficult to tell a female from a juvenile,  creating an identification challenge.  That is why I refer to my subjects as ‘him”!  The Painted Bunting is a magnificent little bird, about finch size.  He is one of the most spectacular birds that I have seen, as his colors are bold and brilliant.  The vibrant blocks of red, blue, green and yellow  put him in a category by himself.  He is a “gasper” (makes you “gasp” or “wow”),  a flying tidbit of Paradise! Fast and a bit shy, he is sometimes difficult to spot….always in the thicket or surrounded by leaves. The best way to see one of these little guys, is when he is by the water’s side taking a drink. The Painted Bunting signifies joy, transformation, a renaissance of sorts and the showing of true colors!