What is the blue and black dancing bird?

The blue and black dancing bird is likely referring to the indigo bunting, a small songbird found in North America. Let’s take a deep dive into the fascinating world of this colorful little bird.

Quick Facts About the Indigo Bunting

Here are some key facts about the indigo bunting:

• Scientific name: Passerina cyanea
• Average length: 4.5-5.5 inches
• Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 inches
• Average weight: 0.5-0.7 oz
• Lifespan: 10+ years (longest recorded – 13 years)
• Habitat: open areas with bushes and thickets
• Range: North America (summers in Canada & USA, winters in southern USA, Mexico, Caribbean)
• Diet: insects, seeds

Identification

The bright blue plumage of the male indigo bunting makes it easy to identify. The male’s head, back, wings and tail are a vibrant blue. The wings have black edges. The face is black. The color is so striking that early European settlers named it ‘indigo bird’ after the deep blue dye. Females are mostly brown, but may show some blue on their wings, tails or heads.

In flight, look for a small bird with rapid wing beats and alternating bouts of flapping and gliding. Listen for their buzzy song and sharp ‘chip’ calls.

Interesting Facts

Here are some fascinating facts about the indigo bunting:

• The male’s brilliant blue color does not come from pigment, but is caused by the way his feather structure reflects light. This is called structural coloration.
• Females select mates based on the brightness and shade of blue. Brighter males show health and strength.
• To attract females, males sing up to 200 songs per hour at dawn. Their songs range from high-pitched sweeps to buzzes.
• Indigo buntings migrate at night using the stars to navigate.
• They can consume up to 1,000 seeds per day in winter.
• The oldest recorded indigo bunting was over 13 years old.
• They help control insect pests by eating up to 500 insect eggs per day.
• Their numbers declined in the 1960s-70s but have recovered due to illegalization of feather hunting and investment in conservation.

Appearance and Size

Let’s take a closer look at the appearance and size of these birds.

Males

Males are easily recognized by their vibrant, shimmering blue plumage during breeding season. The head, back, wings, and tail are blue. The wings have black edges. The face is black. The beak is conical and silvery-gray. Legs and feet are gray to bluish-gray. Eyes are reddish-brown. They have a thin pointed tail.

Males measure 4.5-5.5 inches in length with a wingspan of 7.5-9 inches. They typically weigh 0.5-0.7 ounces.

Females

Females have mostly brown plumage. They may show some blue on their wings, tails or heads. The beak is more pinkish than the male’s. Legs and feet are pinkish to bluish-gray. Eyes are reddish-brown. Their size is similar to males.

Young birds resemble females until their first molt.

Distribution and Habitat

Indigo buntings live in open brushy areas scattered among woodlands across North America during the breeding season. They prefer habitat edges over dense forest, and areas with thickets, tall grasses, farmlands, forest clearings, and overgrown fields. They are frequently found along roadsides.

Their breeding range spans from southern Canada to the United States. Northern populations migrate to southern USA, Mexico, and the Caribbean for winter. Year-round they can be found in Florida, southeastern Arizona, and coastal California.

Breeding (Summer) Range

• Canada: Southern Manitoba to Southern Quebec
• USA: North Dakota to Maine, south to Texas and Florida

Winter (Non-breeding) Range

• USA: Florida, southeastern Arizona, coastal California, and across the southern states
• Mexico
• Caribbean islands

Migration

Indigo buntings are migratory birds. Northern populations migrate south for winter while southern populations are permanent residents or short-distance migrants.

They migrate at night, using the stars to navigate. Some fly over 2000 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. They travel in loose flocks, catching rides on favorable winds when possible to conserve energy.

Spring migration to breeding grounds begins in late April and runs through May. Males arrive first to claim territories. They return to the same breeding site each year. Autumn migration to wintering grounds starts in late August and runs through October.

Key Migration Routes

• Mississippi Flyway – Follows the Mississippi River corridor
• Atlantic Flyway – Follows the Atlantic coast
• Central Flyway – Between the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways

Diet

Indigo buntings are omnivores and eat a combination of insects and seeds. Their diet varies based on season and habitat. Here is an overview of their feeding habits:

Insects

Insects make up the majority of their diet during breeding season which fuels their high metabolism. They mainly eat beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and spiders plucked from foliage or captured in mid-air. They’ve been observed eating up to 500 insect eggs per day. This helps control pest species.

Seeds

During winter, they switch to eating grass and weed seeds. Sources include ragweed, grasses, sedge, smartweed and grains from agricultural areas. Indigo buntings can consume up to 1,000 seeds daily in winter which provides energy and fat reserves.

Fruit and Nectar

They supplement their diet with fruit and nectar from spring through fall. Favorite berries include elderberry, mulberry, blueberry, raspberry, and gooseberry. They also drink nectar from flowers of catalpa, jewelweed and trumpecreeper.

Breeding and Nesting

Here’s an overview of the indigo bunting’s breeding and nesting habits:

• Males arrive at breeding grounds first and establish a territory, often in the exact area used the previous year.
• Courtship involves males fluttering, chasing females, and frequent singing.
• Females select a mate based on the brightness of his blue color which signals health and strength.
• A male may mate with several females who each build their own nest within his territory.
• The female constructs a compact open cup nest 3-10 feet above ground woven from grasses, leaves, twigs and lined with softer materials like animal hair.
• She lays 3-4 pale blue eggs and incubates them for 11-14 days.
• Young hatch helpless and rely on the female for care. They fledge at 9-12 days old.
• Most pairs raise 2-3 broods per breeding season from May to August.
• Males continue defending their territory but do not participate in nesting duties.

Vocalizations and Sounds

Indigo buntings are highly vocal birds. Males sing loudly and frequently from exposed elevated perches to attract mates and defend territories. Here are some of the most common indigo bunting songs and calls:

Singing

Singing is used to claim territory and attract females. Males may deliver up to 200 songs per hour at dawn when breeding activity is highest! The song is a high-pitched buzzy warble ranging from sweet to sharp sounding. It often starts with two pairs of repeated notes before cascading into a jumble of notes and trills.

Call Notes

• Chip – A short, sharp “chip” or “chink” used during migration and between mates.
• Tsip – A high, thin “tsip” often given during migration.
• Swee – A short, high-pitched “swee” note used by males when pursuing females.

Threats and Conservation

Indigo bunting populations declined significantly in the 1960s and 70s due to loss of habitat and hunting for the millinery (hat-making) trade. However, their numbers have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Current threats include:

• Habitat loss from development
• Nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds
• Collisions with buildings and vehicles during migration
• Pesticide exposure from agricultural chemicals
• Climate change affecting migration patterns and food supply

Protecting large tracts of varied habitat and reducing obstacles along migration routes are important conservation measures. Indigo buntings are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Summary and Conclusion

In summary, the indigo bunting is a beautiful little songbird best known for the male’s vibrant blue plumage. While stunning to observe, they are much more than just a pretty face. Here are some key points about the indigo bunting:

• Small migratory songbird 4.5-5.5 inches long found in North America
• Brilliant blue male plumage is a structural color not a true blue pigment
• Nest in thickets and shrubby areas; females incubate 3-4 eggs for 2 weeks
• Males have loud, complex songs and sing up to 200x/hour to defend territory
• Omnivores that eat insects and seeds depending on season
• Fly 2000+ miles between breeding and wintering grounds
• Populations declined mid-1900s but recovered thanks to conservation

The indigo bunting is a resilient little bird that has adapted well to human changes to the landscape. As long as we protect their habitat and food sources, these colorful songsters will continue gracing our summers with their beautiful plumage and cheerful songs.