The Painted Bunting is a small, vibrantly colored songbird that breeds in the southern United States. Males have a bright blue head, red underparts, and green back. Females are mostly green and yellow. Painted Buntings are secretive birds that inhabit dense thickets and hedgerows. Their colorful plumage can make them seem common, but Painted Buntings have declined in numbers and face several threats. This has led some birders to wonder – are Painted Buntings rare in Texas?
Quick Answer
Painted Buntings are considered rare in Texas compared to historical numbers, but they can still be found in certain parts of the state during breeding season. Their populations have declined significantly since 1966 when they were first monitored. Habitat loss in both their breeding and wintering grounds is the main reason numbers have dropped.
Breeding Range and Population
Painted Buntings breed in the south-central United States from Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana south to central Texas and the Gulf Coast. Their range just barely enters extreme southern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas. The highest concentrations are found along the Texas Gulf Coast north to the eastern half of the state.
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data provides long-term population trends. Numbers from 1966 to 2015 show a loss of 2.66% annually across their entire breeding range. In Texas, the decline is estimated at 3.04% per year during this same period. Christmas Bird Counts between 1966-2015 similarly show a drop of over 60% in Texas.
Their current population in Texas is estimated between 146,000 – 426,000. Compared to an estimated 1 million birds in the 1960s, Painted Buntings have clearly declined substantially in the state. However, they remain locally common within certain parts of their breeding range in Texas.
Reasons for Decline
The major factor in the Painted Bunting’s decline is habitat loss, both on their breeding grounds in the southern U.S. and wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. On their breeding grounds, urbanization and intensive agriculture have greatly reduced suitable habitat. Loss of hedgerows and natural brushy areas hits Painted Buntings hard.
On their tropical wintering grounds, deforestation has reduced habitat. Climate change may also be shifting and contracting their range over time. Nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds may impact breeding success in some areas.
When and Where to Find Them in Texas
Painted Buntings arrive in Texas in late March and early April to establish breeding territories. They concentrate along the coast and nearby counties before dispersing farther inland. Coastal locations like Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and eastward along the coastline to Houston host spring migrants.
Later in the season, Painted Buntings spread out across eastern Texas. Prime areas include the Pineywoods, Post Oak Savannah, and South Texas Brush Country. Scattered populations occur westward to the eastern Edwards Plateau and the northeastern Panhandle.
Good birding locations include Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston and Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge west of Austin. State parks, wildlife management areas, and nature preserves throughout eastern Texas provide habitat. Finding thick, brushy habitat is key.
By September and October, Painted Buntings depart Texas for their wintering grounds farther south. Some linger into November but most have left the state by late October.
Habitat
Painted Buntings rely on dense, thorny habitat across their range in Texas. They favor brushy borders along woodland edges, hedgerows, fencerows, and overgrown fields. Riverbottom thickets and draws lined with brush are prime spots. Early successional habitat with grasses and scattered shrubs and small trees provide excellent nesting grounds.
In coastal areas, look for Painted Buntings in maritime hammocks, scrub, salt marsh edges, and oak mottes. Along barrier islands, search scrubby vegetation. Wherever you find dense stands of shrubs and small trees, listen and look for these colorful songbirds scratching through the understory.
Behavior
Painted Buntings tend to forage low in dense cover. They often scratch through litter searching for seeds and insects. Males sing from high perches early in breeding season but remain hidden down low as summer progresses. Their song is a series of musical, warbled phrases often described as sweet and ringing.
Painted Buntings build cup nests low in dense shrubs and brambles, often close to the ground. Pairs raise multiple broods from late April through summer. The female incubates the eggs and cares for nestlings while the male helps feed the young after they fledge.
Outside the breeding season, Painted Buntings form loose flocks. They mix with other species like Indigo Buntings while foraging and roosting in thickets. In winter they often feed high in trees on seeds and fruits in tropical habitats.
Identification
A male Painted Bunting is unmistakable with his bright red underparts, blue head, and green back. Females sport a green back with darker wing and tail feathers. Their underparts are yellow-green. Both sexes have a conical seed-eating bill and a short notched tail.
The male Indigo Bunting can look somewhat similar although it lacks red underparts. Immature male Painted Buntings in their first fall have some reddish feathers mixed with green. Young males attain full adult plumage by their second year.
Conservation Status
Painted Buntings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Their population declines have not yet warranted listing under the Endangered Species Act. However, Audubon lists them as a climate threatened species expected to lose nearly 50% of their breeding range by 2080.
Habitat loss on the wintering grounds in Central America is a major concern. Conservation efforts focus on preserving coastal scrub habitat in Texas and other southern states. Planting native thorny shrubs and grasses helps restore nesting habitat.
Fun Facts
- Male Painted Buntings molt all their body feathers twice a year while females only molt once. The males’ bright colors come from pigments in their food.
- The oldest known Painted Bunting was a male who lived over 9 years.
- Painted Buntings hybridize with Indigo Buntings where their ranges overlap.
- While often shy, Painted Buntings may visit feeders with millet and sunflower seeds.
- Many tropical birds are called “painted.” The Painted Bunting is the only North American species with Painted in its name.
Conclusion
Painted Buntings have declined substantially in Texas over the past 50 years. Habitat loss on their breeding and wintering grounds has caused significant population drops. However, with conservation efforts, they still breed across much of eastern Texas. Their colorful plumage makes them a delightful spring and summer sighting in brushy habitat. Protecting areas of dense thorny vegetation will give these rare beauties a brighter future in the Lone Star State.
