Painted Bunting
| The first male Painted Bunting I’ve seen. It flew down onto a branch next to the path at my favorite park. | 05/21/2022 |
Description
Like it’s painted with broad strokes of red, blue, yellow, and hints of green, the male Painted Bunting is iconic. This bird’s song sounds similar to a House Finch without the finch’s ”pooping” sound in the middle of the melody (another’s words, not mine). It has a red eye ring which adds contrast to help its eyes stand out.
The female is a muted yellow color and the same shape as the male.
Personal stats
First observation
| 📆 |
07/30/2021 |
| 📍 |
San Antonio, Texas |
Captured media details
| Male |
Female |
Unknown |
|
| 📸 | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| 🎙️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Experiences & anecdotes
5/25/22 - My first solo experience of the Painted Bunting was at Pearsall Park in July 2021. At the park, there is a disc golf course and birds of all kinds like to perch on the goal. That day, I spotted a small bird on a distant goal. Getting a closer look I could see the dull yellow color of the female Painted Bunting. It was exciting but not as thrilling as seeing the brilliant colors of the male. It wouldn't be for almost another year that I'd see this bird. On my regular weekend visit to the park in May of 2022, it was finally my moment.
I was walking down the trail toward the creek and shortly before arriving, I saw the flash of a red bird. Thinking it was a Cardinal, but always checking, I held up my binoculars and a rush of colors. The male Painted Bunting had finally revealed itself. I struggled with my camera and it flew only to land on a branch even closer. It managed to stay put for a moment or two and allowed me to capture its photo. I've seen it a few times since at Cibolo Nature Center bringing friends along with me to share in the spectacle.
Captured media
Photographs
| Another pose from my first experience with the male Painted Bunting. |
| Showing off its backside and its vibrant yellow. |
| The Painted Bunting perched on top of a snag at Cibolo Nature Center. |
| This female Painted Bunting was a lifer for me in 2021. | 07/30/2021 |
| Bath time | 05/26/2023 |
| Aggressive splashing | 05/26/2023 |
| Any type of wire can be a good perch, even rusted barbed wire. | 05/26/2023 |
Audio recordings
- ML445730921 - 0:28
- This is the pretty song of the Painted Bunting. If you compare it to a House Finch you may find some similarities.