New Mexico · Summer breeder

Lazuli Buntings in New Mexico

When lazuli buntings are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Lazuli BuntingPasserina amoena

Status in New Mexico: Summer breeder
Nesting window: May–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–9a

When to expect lazuli buntings in New Mexico

Lazuli Buntings are summer residents in New Mexico, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.

Nesting in New Mexico

Across New Mexico, lazuli buntings typically nest from May–July. Nest site: cup in shrubs. Females lay 3–4 eggs, incubate for 12 days, and young leave the nest after 10–12 days.

Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.

Lazuli Buntings don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as black cherry, american elderberry, chokecherry for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New Mexico plants that attract lazuli buntings

Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover lazuli buntings use:

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Feeding lazuli buntings through the New Mexico year

Brushy hillsides and streamside thickets; young males learn songs from neighbors.

Best foods: Millet, Nyjer.
In New Mexico's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for lazuli buntings · Best feeder for lazuli buntings

Frequently asked

Are lazuli buntings in New Mexico year-round?

No. Lazuli Buntings are summer breeders in New Mexico and leave for the winter.

When do lazuli buntings nest in New Mexico?

Nesting in New Mexico typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12 days.

What native plants attract lazuli buntings in New Mexico?

Black cherry, American elderberry, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for lazuli buntings.

Lazuli Buntings in other regions

Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Colorado Idaho Montana Nebraska Nevada North Dakota Oregon Saskatchewan South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming

Other backyard birds in New Mexico

Northern Cardinal Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Mountain Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Costa's Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee Canyon Towhee Gambel's Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Gila Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Cactus Wren Curve-billed Thrasher Verdin Pyrrhuloxia Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove White-winged Dove Inca Dove

Sources

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.