Female Indigo Bunting: for Camera Critters
I had been looking at this little bird for a couple of days now and there seemed to be some sort of question hovering in my mind about it; but I wasn't sure what it was. We have so many drab looking female American Goldfinch around our feeders at this time of year that I had just assumed that's what it was. 
Yesterday though, it was all by its self, and I started to look at it closer, then I took a few pictures of it so I could really examine it closely, while at the same time looking through my bird guide books.
I noticed that it had a faintly streaked breast, and Goldfinch don't have streaked breasts! Also its bill seemed larger than I had expected and its wing bars were not really as distinct as a female American Goldfinch's is and its eyes seemed a bit beady. Searching through Sibley's Guide to Birds (2000), (p-468,) I found its match!! It is a female Indigo Bunting. This is not a bird we have here frequently, or perhaps I had just not recognized the female before?
We have had a male Indigo Bunting visiting our feeders a couple of times but never for long and I have only gotten fleeting glimpses of this blue, handsome, male counterpart and just a couple of pictures of it.
This was a real treat to have discovered a female Indigo Bunting at our feeders on the last day of October. It was a great addition to my October Yard Bird List.
My appreciative thanks to Misty for hosting this site. To see other participant's photo contributions just click HERE or on the Camera Critters logo on the side panel.
29 comments:
You are so good at this. I have a terrible time trying to find the right bird in the book. It's only since blogging and seeing wonderful pictures like yours that I have begun trying harder once in a while.
Lovely pictures, as always.
Thank you, Bobbie,
It has been ten years now since I discovered a beautiful Pine Grosbeak outside my window and I was fascinated for I didn't know what it was. Then my husband encourage me to buy a digital camera and I have been fascinated ever since. It has become a wonderful journey of discovery for me. Glad that you enjoy too and your comments are much appreciated.
That really is a beautiful female! I love the chestnut color it has. Wonderful to get it just in time for the count! I've only seen the female a couple times and have to look it up if one shows.
The Bunting is my favorite!! Great shots all around.
Good ID! Hope she and the blue guy remember where they got the good eats, and come back to see you in the spring.
Beautiful! We used to get the Buntings at my folks house in Florida and then they disappeared. Such a pretty bird!
This is AWESOME! I've seen only a couple Inidgo Buntings out here and was never able to get a photo. NOW, I know what the female looks like and will have to pay closer attention. Thanks SO much for this post!
So small but too cute!
Wonderful photos. I wonder if indigo buntings are ever seen here in central Ontario. Now I need to check my bird books! (Or the Internet.)
Ann: Looked like a sparrow, I saw a male this summer with no chance to capture it.
These are beautiful birds. I'm not good with birds.
What beauties you captured, i also love that first shot with the cute bird house that looks like it might be a church entrance door
Amazing job,
the sparrows here in central Jersey are giving me a tough time.
Great pictures!
What a sweet little thing! It even looks sparrow-like! Beautiful series of shots!
You captured those birds very good.
you're so lucky you found a new bird! I'd love to have feeders in my backyard but I have cats, so I don't want to encourage them to my area. Thanks for posting :)
What a beautiful little bird! I love the composition in the first photo with the 'door to his house' - so cute!
I just love birds. Those are great shots. TFS
i probably would have called her a sparrow... :) i've only seen an indigo bunting a couple of times, and both were very fleeting. they are beautiful..and even though this lil gal isn't as colorful as her mate...she is also beautiful. great shots, very clear. :)
Wow, what a catch. She really is beautiful. I can see why you might miss her with all the female Goldfinches around. The only time I ever see the male Indigo's is in the early spring. Thanks for sharing this one with us. I'll try to be more observent.
You too like to hunt down the answer Ann...I am so happy when I id it..Beautiful photos. I had a male stop in last spring, but must have been passing through...
She's a cute little thing.
these are some very cute birds, and great close ups too!
beautiful! I still have to grab my camera and see what birds are around here - but only after we finish unpacking :)! happy Sunday!
I am so amazed and impressed with your photos! Gorgeous!
Marevllous catch and what an exotic vusitor to your garden,
Great series of photos! Isn't it wonderful to see a new-to-you critter?
How cool! I need to find a better link than the couple I have to help identify birds. I have so much learning to do. :-) Oh, great shots!!
Fantastic photos of our feathered friends. What a joy they bring to people.
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