Yes it’s March but this recent stretch of warm weather has me dreaming of spring migration and all the colorful birds that will soon be heading up to North Carolina. Perhaps the most stunning example of which is the Painted Bunting! There is no way to mistake this gorgeous bird for any other species with that incredible palette of indigo, red, yellow and green plumage sparkling in the sun or lighting up with a fire of their own in the canopy shadows.
Truly Painted Buntings are a “bucket list” species for photographers and birders alike. I know I can’t wait to get back out to the coast of North Carolina this spring to see them again myself! Wanna join me? I’ve got 3 tours scheduled for May & June of 2022. Space is limited on these small group trips so make sure you book early to reserve your spot. For booking details check out my tour link below!
One of my favorite birds to see when visiting the coast is the Painted Bunting. I was lucky to see several of them at Ft.Fisher, Wrightsville Beach and Airlie Gardens in Wilmington. It’s a wonderful experience to view and hear one of these feathered gems up close.
As the first few photos show, the plumage of the adult male Painted Bunting is a vibrant array of colors ranging from red, yellow and green to blues and violet hues.
Scrolling through the pics you’ll notice what appears to be a female bird but it’s actually an immature male. I was able to make that ID differentiator because males are the only ones that sing which what he was doing when I found him. Though at first glance immature males do look like females, if you look closely you can see a bit of new colors coming in this young males green feathers. By the time this guy is 18 months he will have molted into his brightly colored adult plumage.
Painted Buntings are a summertime resident of North Carolina and are found in our eastern coastal areas. They’ve got a voracious appetite for insects during their breeding season but mainly eat seeds throughout the rest of the year. These gorgeous birds may even be enticed to visit your backyard feeder if you fill it with their favorite food, white millet seeds!
The easiest way to find Painted Buntings is to listen for their songs of a series of high-pitched, warbling notes which rise and fall. They favor open brushy habitats near salt and brackish waters, also along the wood lines next to fields and marshes. They’ll stick around the Tarheel State until early September so there’s still plenty of time to find one for yourself before the year is done. In fact, I’ll be heading back to the coast again on July 12th 2021 to lead another trip to share these stunning birds with my guests. I can’t wait!
Want to join me?
Click on the Ft. Fisher bird watching trip link below to reserve your spot on the tour!
