The Painted Bunting is an unmistakably beautiful bird that makes even the most avid birders pause. The male is adorned with vivid shades of blues, reds, yellows and greens fusing together. The female counterpart is less vibrant, but equally exquisite in her own way, with a lemony yellow and bright green body that is uniform throughout.

Their song is a series of short, musical phrases of thin, sweet, notes lasting about 2 seconds.

Painting Buntings favor dense, scrubby, lowland habitats. Despite their eye-catching colors, Painted Buntings can be secretive, wallowing in the dark and thick brushes and thickets. 

At a bird feeder, they can be seen enjoying millet, sunflower chips, and thistle. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with protein-rich insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars to support both themselves and their young. When breeding, both the male and female contribute to finding a suitable nesting site.

The female weaves together a nest consisting of twigs, grasses, stems, and leaves, which are held tight by spiderwebs and typically placed in the crook of branches a few feet off the ground. 

Successful nesting and preservation of their nesting habitat is crucial for the long-term success of this bird. Advocating for habitat preservation and careful zoning as land development continues in their breeding grounds is critical to their survival and our enjoyment of their dazzling colors for years to come.

Casey First

Wild Birds Unlimited, North Asheville

946 Merrimon Ave #120

828-575-2081