ExploreBirds

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

The Indigo Bunting is a small, bright blue bird that sings sweet songs. They love to eat seeds and insects and can be found in open fields and forests during the summer.

Habitat: Open fields and forests

Appearance

The Indigo Bunting has an iridescent deep blue plumage in males, appearing nearly black in shade, while females are a warm brown with faint streaking. A key visual difference is the male's vibrant, structural blue compared to the duller female.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCardinalidaeGenusPasserina
Indigo Bunting
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgecolorful trait badge
Indigo Bunting

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Indigo Buntings can breed more than once in a single summer season!

Male Indigo Buntings learn complex new songs every year from their neighbors!

Their dazzling blue color isn't a pigment, but light scattering like a prism!

They use the stars to guide their incredible long migrations at night.

Special abilities

Ability

Celestial Navigator

Indigo Bunting can navigate long distances using star patterns at night because of specialized magnetoreceptors that guide them.

Ability

Sunlight Magic

Indigo Bunting has brilliant blue feathers that aren't pigmented but scatter light like tiny prisms, making them glow.

Measurements & details

Length
11.5-15 cm
Wingspan
20-23 cm
Weight
0.012-0.019 kg
Lifespan
2-4 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
11-14 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds feast on many small bugs and enjoy munching on various seeds and berries.

Primary Foods

  • Insects
  • Spiders
  • Thistle seeds
  • Dandelion seeds
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don’t scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Indigo Bunting?

11.5-15 cm

What is Indigo Bunting's wingspan?

20-23 cm

How much does Indigo Bunting weigh?

0.012-0.019 kg

How long does Indigo Bunting live?

2-4 years

How fast can Indigo Bunting move?

35 km/h

What does Indigo Bunting eat?

These tiny birds feast on many small bugs and enjoy munching on various seeds and berries.

Where is Indigo Bunting usually found?

Open fields and forests

How does Indigo Bunting hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Birds