Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris. Seeds most of the year; insects when nesting.
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Painted BuntingPasserina ciris
- Scientific name
- Passerina ciris
- Length
- 4.7–5.1 in
- Weight
- 0.5–0.7 oz
- Nest
- Woven cup in dense shrubs or vines 3–6 ft up
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–4 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–12 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Male blue head, red underparts and lime-green back
- Female uniformly bright green
- Short conical bill
Voice
Sweet, high warbling song.
Diet and feeding
Seeds most of the year; insects when nesting.
What do painted buntings eat? · Best feeder for painted buntings
Painted Buntings by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Summer breeder | May–August |
| Florida | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Georgia | Summer breeder | April–August |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | May–August |
| Louisiana | Summer breeder | April–August |
| Mississippi | Summer breeder | April–August |
| New Mexico | Summer breeder | May–August |
| North Carolina | Summer breeder | May–August |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | May–August |
| South Carolina | Summer breeder | April–August |
| Texas | Summer breeder | April–August |
Frequently asked
What do painted buntings eat?
Seeds most of the year; insects when nesting. At feeders: white proso millet.
How big is a Painted Bunting?
4.7–5.1 in long and 0.5–0.7 oz.
Do painted buntings use birdhouses?
No. Woven cup in dense shrubs or vines 3–6 ft up.
Sources
- Painted Bunting — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Painted Bunting life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Painted 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.