Backyard Bunting

The Painted Bunting has two distinct ranges; the first extending from northern Texas to northern Mexico with a winter range in southwestern Mexico and the second, eastern population ranges from the Atlantic coastal areas of Florida to North Carolina with a winter range in south Florida to the Caribbean. This bird can be found primarily in arable land, degraded forest and shrub lands of higher altitude. The global population of this bird is estimated to be around 3,600,000 individual birds. Currently, the population has demonstrated a nearly 55% decrease in the past thirty years. Due to this, population trends for the Painted Bunting have a present evaluation level of Near Threatened.

 

The male Painted Bunting is one of the most brilliantly colored and visually striking birds in all of the United States. It is the only bird in the U.S. to have a blue head and red underparts.

The Painted Bunting’s species name, ceris, comes from the Greek myth of Scylla, who was turned into the bird keiris.

 

This beautiful green Painted Bunting is either a female or a Juvenile male.

I found her (him) in my backyard. Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida.

Done