Perch Supply
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea. Insects in summer; seeds in fall.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Indigo BuntingPasserina cyanea
Scientific name
Passerina cyanea
Length
4.7–5.1 in
Weight
0.4–0.6 oz
Nest
Cup in dense shrubs near the ground
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–4 eggs
Incubation
12–14 days
Broods
1–3 per season

Identification

  • Male entirely electric blue
  • Female plain warm brown
  • Conical silver-grey bill

Voice

Paired, sweet notes: 'what-what, where-where, see-it, see-it'.

Diet and feeding

Insects in summer; seeds in fall.

What do indigo buntings eat? · Best feeder for indigo buntings

Indigo Buntings by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederApril–August
ArizonaSummer breederApril–August
ArkansasSummer breederMay–August
ColoradoSummer breederMay–August
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–August
DelawareSummer breederMay–August
FloridaSummer breederApril–August
GeorgiaSummer breederApril–August
IllinoisSummer breederMay–August
IndianaSummer breederMay–August
IowaSummer breederMay–August
KansasSummer breederMay–August
KentuckySummer breederMay–August
LouisianaSummer breederApril–August
MaineSummer breederJune–August
MarylandSummer breederMay–August
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–August
MichiganSummer breederMay–August
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–August
MississippiSummer breederApril–August
MissouriSummer breederMay–August
NebraskaSummer breederMay–August
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–August
New HampshireSummer breederJune–August
New JerseySummer breederMay–August
New MexicoSummer breederMay–August
New YorkSummer breederMay–August
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–August
North DakotaSummer breederJune–August
OhioSummer breederMay–August
OklahomaSummer breederMay–August
OntarioSummer breederJune–August
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–August
QuebecSummer breederJune–August
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–August
South CarolinaSummer breederApril–August
South DakotaSummer breederMay–August
TennesseeSummer breederMay–August
TexasSummer breederApril–August
VermontSummer breederJune–August
VirginiaSummer breederMay–August
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–August
WisconsinSummer breederJune–August

Frequently asked

What do indigo buntings eat?

Insects in summer; seeds in fall. At feeders: nyjer, millet, hulled sunflower.

How big is a Indigo Bunting?

4.7–5.1 in long and 0.4–0.6 oz.

Do indigo buntings use birdhouses?

No. Cup in dense shrubs near the ground.

Sources

  1. Indigo Bunting — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Indigo Bunting life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Indigo Bunting — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.