The Painted Bunting is a small, brightly colored songbird that is found in parts of North America. With its striking rainbow of colors, it is a bird that many birders hope to see. But is it actually rare to see one? There are a few factors that determine the rarity of the Painted Bunting.
Range and Population
The Painted Bunting has a relatively small range, breeding in parts of the southern and southwestern United States and wintering in Mexico, Central America, and south Florida. Its breeding range includes southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, central and southern Texas, Louisiana, southern Arkansas, southern Missouri, northern Alabama, and the Florida panhandle.[1]
Within this range, Painted Bunting populations appear to be declining. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Painted Buntings declined by around 30% between 1966 and 2015.[2] The estimated global breeding population is 5.8 million individuals.[3] Due to these declines, the Painted Bunting is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List.[4]
So while the Painted Bunting has a relatively limited range and declining populations, it is not yet an extremely rare bird over most of its range. However, it is rare and local in some areas on the periphery of its breeding range, like southern Missouri.
Habitat Preferences
Another factor that influences the ease of observing Painted Buntings is their preferred habitat. During the breeding season, Painted Buntings are found in the following habitats:[1]
– Thickets and brushy areas
– Forest edges
– Hedges and fencerows
– Early successional forests with scattered shrubs and small trees
– Abandoned farmland reverting to scrub habitat
They tend to favor habitats with dense vegetation from ground level up to around 10 feet high. This dense, low vegetation provides suitable nesting sites and protection from predators.
In winter, they are found in similar scrubby, brushy habitats, as well as weedy fields, hedgerows, forest edges, and residential areas with bushes and thickets.
So Painted Buntings occur most frequently in habitats that provide plenty of dense, low-level vegetation, rather than extensive forests or open grasslands. This makes them most likely to be found in areas with a mixture of scrub, thickets, and edges, often in somewhat disturbed or successional habitat.
Seasonal Patterns
Painted Buntings also show strong seasonal patterns in their abundance and visibility.
In their winter range in Mexico, Central America, and Florida, Painted Buntings can be observed from September to April.[5] However, many individuals arrive on the wintering grounds later in the fall and depart earlier in spring, so the best chance to find them is from November to February.
During the breeding season, which runs from March to August, Painted Buntings are present in their southern U.S. range. However, they are most visible and vocal during the peak breeding period of May and June as they establish territories, build nests, and attract mates.[1] Their activity and singing drops off significantly by July.
So the migratory habits of the Painted Bunting mean birders have the best chances of finding them during their spring arrival on breeding grounds or on wintering areas in Mexico/Central America/Florida.
Breeding Locations
Within their U.S. breeding range, Painted Buntings tend to be localized and concentrated in certain core areas, rather than being evenly distributed across the entire range. According to eBird data, some of the best locations to find Painted Buntings during breeding season are:[6]
- Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
- Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
- South Padre Island, Texas
- Sabal Palm Audubon Sanctuary, Texas
- Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
- Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
So within their breeding range, Painted Buntings tend to be concentrated around certain special habitats like wildlife refuges and nature reserves, especially along coastal Texas and Louisiana.
Status in MO, IA, IL, IN
On the northern and western peripheries of their range, Painted Buntings become much rarer and localized. For example, in Missouri they are considered a rare summer resident and breed very locally in the southeastern part of the state.[7]
They are also rare and local summer residents in southeastern Oklahoma and eastern Kansas. Further north and east into Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, Painted Buntings are considered very rare vagrants and not reliable to find.[8],[9],[10] There are less than 25 records for each of these states.
So while Painted Buntings breed regularly in parts of Missouri, they are very unlikely to be found in the midwestern states of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.
Identification Tips
Ease of observation also depends on the ability of birders to accurately identify Painted Buntings when they are present:
- Brightly colored with a green back, red underparts, and blue head (males)
- Females are greenish-yellow overall with green backs
- Small songbird, about 5-6 inches long
- Thick conical bill good for cracking seeds
- Habits of perching low in shrubs and thickets
- Melodious song, thicker and sweeter than other bunting species
These identification tips can help birders confirm sightings of Painted Buntings and prevent possible cases of misidentification.
Best Practices for Finding
Here are some best practices for having a chance to observe the Painted Bunting:
- Search during spring arrival on breeding grounds in late April-early May
- Look in peak breeding season in May-June when singing and most active
- In winter range, search November to February
- Focus on thickets, edges, hedge rows, and scrub habitats
- Try wildlife refuges, nature reserves, and hotspots like South Texas
- Use squeaks and pishing sounds to attract them in
- Listen and watch carefully low in vegetation
Following these best practices will maximize your chances of observing the beautiful Painted Bunting!
Conclusion
In summary, the relative rarity of the Painted Bunting depends on location. It is abundant in certain core parts of its range like coastal Texas, but very rare and localized in peripheral areas of its range like Missouri and midwestern states. The highest chances of observation occur during peak spring and winter seasons in preferred scrub habitats. With declining populations, the Painted Bunting may become rarer in the future. But currently, it remains fairly observable for patient birders who search within its range at the right times and habitats.
References
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Painted Bunting Life History. Accessed at: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/painted-bunting-life-history/
- North American Breeding Bird Survey: Painted Bunting Results. Accessed at: https://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/trend/tf15.html
- IUCN Red List: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22723812/154402683
- IUCN Red List: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22723812/154402683
- Audubon Guide to Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/painted-bunting
- eBird: Painted Bunting Species Map. Accessed at: https://ebird.org/speciesmaps/painbu
- Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://breedingbirdatlas.org/?p=14371
- Iowa Ornithologists’ Union: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.iowabirds.org/SpeciesAccount/PaintedBunting.aspx
- Illinois Ornithological Society: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.illinoisbirds.org/painted-bunting.htm
- Indiana Audubon Society: Painted Bunting. Accessed at: https://www.indianaaudubon.org/birds-of-indiana/painted-bunting/