The Indigo Bunting is of the family
Cardinalidae and the order Passeriformes, the largest of
the avian orders. The family Cardinalidae consists of cardinals and
buntings. They can range in size from about 5 ¼”
to 5 ¾” and males are a deep blue with some black on the wings
and tail. Females of this species are generally a plain
brown and paler with faint streaking on the breast.
Indigo Buntings summer in WNY as well as most of the
Eastern U.S. They prefer fields and pastures as a habitat and are
often seen in clearings next to forest edges as well as old farm
land. Their diet includes seeds, buds, insects and berries and forage
in trees and shrubs as well as on the ground.
The Indigo Bunting is a migratory
species and spends the summer in the upper regions of the Eastern
U.S. and summers in Florida as well as tropic areas. They usually
form monogamous pairs, but have been known to be polygynous. Nests are typically a
compact woven cup of leaves a few feet from the ground. Females lay
3-4 eggs and are responsible for incubating the eggs for 12-14 days.
Indigo Buntings have altricial young which means they are blind,
immobile and helpless when born. The female cares for the young
after hatching with some help from the male. The young are able to
leave the nest 9-10 days after hatching.
These birds are seen mainly in open areas
such as abandoned farmlands and meadow areas during the
summer so these
areas should be searched for Indigo Buntings.
