Quick Answer
The Indigo Bunting has a variety of vocalizations it uses to communicate different messages. The most common calls include a high-pitched, buzzing “zee zee zee” song, a sharp “chip” call, and a high-pitched, sustained warbling song. The species is named for the bright indigo blue color of the male’s plumage during breeding season.
What is an Indigo Bunting?
The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small seed-eating songbird found in North America. They breed in open shrubby areas, forest edges, and agricultural areas across the United States and southern Canada during the summer months. The birds then migrate to southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America for the winter.
Some key facts about the Indigo Bunting:
Scientific Name | Passerina cyanea |
Size | 4.5-5.5 inches long |
Wingspan | 7.5-9.1 inches |
Weight | 0.4-0.7 oz |
Population | 15 million |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
The adult male Indigo Bunting in breeding plumage is a vibrant, shimmering blue. Females are mostly brown, as are males during the non-breeding season. They have conical bills suited for eating seeds.
Indigo Bunting Vocalizations
Indigo Buntings utilize various vocalizations to communicate different messages. Here are some of the common Indigo Bunting calls:
Song
The song of the Indigo Bunting is a high-pitched, buzzing “zee zee zee zee” sound. This song is sung repeatedly by males during the breeding season to establish territory and attract females. The song lasts 2-3 seconds and is often described as sounding like a fast metal zipper being zipped up and down.
Call
Both male and female Indigo Buntings give a sharp “chip” or “tship” call year-round. This call serves as contact between birds and signals alarm or flight.
Warble
Males have a high-pitched, squeaky, rambling warble song that they sing from an elevated perch. This longer song indicates male fitness during courtship.
When Do Indigo Buntings Sing?
The singing patterns of Indigo Buntings change throughout the seasons:
– During spring migration in April/May, males sing infrequently.
– Upon arriving at breeding grounds in May/June, males sing actively to establish territories and attract mates. Songs are most frequent in early morning and late afternoon/evening.
– During peak breeding in June/July, males sing frequently to communicate with mates and defend territories.
– Singing declines in late summer after females are incubating eggs.
– In fall and winter, Indigo Buntings are mostly silent. Simple call notes may be heard.
So periods of frequent, elaborate singing correspond with breeding activities in the summer months. The song is used to attract mates and warn competing males away.
Where Do Indigo Buntings Nest?
Indigo Buntings often nest low in shrubs or saplings in open areas with brushy habitat. Typical nest sites include:
– Low branches of shrubs or small trees
– Brush piles
– Briar thickets
– Hedges between fields
– Forest edges
The female builds a cup nest out of leaves, grasses, and other plant materials. She incubates the 3-4 eggs for 12-13 days. Both parents feed the nestlings. After fledging, the young are dependent on the parents for 2-3 weeks.
Nesting Facts | Details |
---|---|
Nest Height | 0-13 feet up |
Clutch Size | 3-4 eggs |
Incubation Period | 12-13 days |
Nestling Period | 9-12 days |
Broods per Year | 1-2 broods |
Nesting low in dense vegetation helps conceal the Indigo Buntings from predators. However, many nests are still lost to animals like snakes, crows, jays, and domestic cats.
What do Indigo Buntings Eat?
Indigo Buntings are primarily seed eaters, feeding on small grains and seeds of grasses, weeds, and trees. A large portion of their diet consists of grass seeds. During the breeding season, they supplement seeds with insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and spiders. The male feeds the female while she incubates eggs.
Some common food sources include:
Food Type | Examples |
---|---|
Seeds | Grass, sorghum, wheat, oats, ragweed, pigweed, sunflower |
Grains | Corn, rice, millet |
Fruit | Berries, currants, figs |
Insects | Beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, spiders |
The birds forage for food mostly on the ground or in low vegetation. Their conical beak allows them to crack into seeds and extract the nutritious contents.
Interesting Facts About Indigo Buntings
Here are some interesting facts about the behavior, biology, and history of Indigo Buntings:
– Males molt into their brilliant blue breeding plumage after arriving on the breeding grounds in spring. Their feathers change from brown to blue over the course of a few weeks.
– Young males may take several years to attain the full vibrant blue coloration of older males. Immature males often appear patchy blue and brown.
– Indigo Buntings migrate at night and orient themselves by the stars. They can migrate over 1,400 miles between their winter and summer ranges.
– Males are highly territorial during the breeding season. They will fiercely chase away other males that encroach on their nesting areas.
– Indigo Buntings have a very short lifespan compared to other songbirds. Few survive past 2-3 years in the wild.
– Their genus name Passerina means “little sparrow”. This refers to their sparrow-like appearance and behaviors.
– John James Audubon painted an Indigo Bunting for his famous Birds of America series in 1828. The painting was based on a specimen collected in Kentucky.
– Although still common, Indigo Bunting populations declined by over 30% between 1966-2015 per the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Habitat loss is considered the major threat.
Conclusion
In summary, the Indigo Bunting is a small migratory songbird best recognized by the striking blue plumage of breeding males. It vocalizes with a variable, high-pitched song and call notes that serve purposes like claiming territory and attracting mates. Indigo Buntings nest low in shrubs and brushy areas and mainly eat seeds supplemented with insects. Paying attention to the vocalizations and behavior of these blue beauties provides a glimpse into their fascinating natural history. Protecting their preferred breeding habitat will help ensure the Indigo Bunting remains a vibrant part of the North American landscape.