Tag Archives: indigo bunting blue grosbeak

Field Notes

Indigo Bunting vs. Blue Grosbeak ID

By Sally Siko

With similar colors and habitat preferences, Indigo Buntings & Blue Grosbeaks can be difficult to tell apart.
I’ve often been asked often what ID marks are helpful in differentiating the species so here are a couple of notes which may help you in the field.

Indigo Bunting


-Indigo Bunting-
*Male and female Indigo Buntings lack wingbars. Adult male wings are entirely blue with black points.
*Indigo Buntings have a much smaller, narrower, pointy beak.
*The head of an Indigo Buntings is rounded, smaller and more delicate.

Blue Grosbeak


-Blue Grosbeak
*Male Blue Grosbeaks have two rusty colored wingbars. While not as pronounced as on the males, the tan-colored females will also show two brownish wingbars.
*Similar to Northern Cardinals, Blue Grosbeaks have a large, heavy triangular shaped bill, the top edge of which nearly forms a straight line into the forehead.
*The head of a Blue Grosbeaks is large and squared off giving them a decidedly block-headed appearance.

Bonus Tip!
Size: The average Blue Grosbeak is nearly twice the weight of an Indigo Bunting.
This is something you’ll notice if you happen to see both species in the same day.


Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert

Indigo Bunting and Blue Grosbeak species comparison

One of my favorite places to visit during late summer is the Art Park at the NCMA in Raleigh North Carolina. Along with the wide array of colors in flower fields there are plenty of beautiful birds to be found here too.
Two species which are particularly common in the area are the Indigo Bunting and the Blue Grosbeak.
Even on a cloudy day, these gorgeous azure hued birds are absolutely stunning when viewing them at close range.

With similar colors and habitat preferences, Indigo Buntings & Blue Grosbeaks can be difficult to tell apart.
I’ve often been asked often what ID marks are helpful in differentiating the species so here are a couple of notes which may help you in the field.


-Indigo Bunting-(1st photo)
*Male and female Indigo Buntings lack wingbars. Adult male wings are entirely blue with black points.
*Indigo Buntings have a much smaller, narrower, pointy beak.
*The head of an Indigo Buntings is rounded, smaller and more delicate.


-Blue Grosbeak-(2nd photo)
*Male Blue Grosbeaks have two rusty colored wingbars. While not as pronounced as on the males, the tan-colored females will also show two brownish wingbars.
*Similar to Northern Cardinals, Blue Grosbeaks have a large, heavy triangular shaped bill, the top edge of which nearly forms a straight line into the forehead.
*The head of a Blue Grosbeaks is large and squared off giving them a decidedly block-headed appearance.

Bonus Tip!
Size: The average Blue Grosbeak is nearly twice the weight of an Indigo Bunting.
This is something you’ll notice if you happen to see both species in the same day.
If you’d like to test your ID skills in telling these blue beauties apart, the North Carolina Museum of Art Park is an excellent place to do this!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds

Field Notes, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

How to tell an Indigo Bunting apart from a Blue grossbeak

Have you ever wondered how to tell an Indigo Bunting apart from a Blue Grosbeak?
Both species are both found here in central N.C. They share a common habitat preference too (open fields and thickets at the edge of the woods) thus these similar looking birds are often confused for the other.
Here’s a quick list of points to consider when trying to asses the ID of these azure hued feathered gems.

Indigo Bunting



-Indigo Bunting-
*Male and female Indigo Buntings lack wingbars. Adult male wings are entirely blue with black points.
*Indigo Buntings have a much smaller, pointy beak.
*The head of an Indigo Buntings is rounded, smaller and more delicate.

Blue Grosbeak



-Blue Grosbeak-
*Male Blue Grosbeaks have two rusty colored wingbars. While not as pronounced as on the males, the tan-colored females will also show two brownish wingbars.
*Similar to Northern Cardinals, Blue Grosbeaks have a large, heavy triangular shaped bill, the top edge of which nearly forms a straight line into the forehead.
*The head of a Blue Grosbeaks is large and squared off giving them a decidedly block-headed appearance.

Size: The average Blue Grosbeak is nearly twice the weight of an Indigo Bunting.
This is something you’ll notice if you happen to see both species in the same day.
A good place to do this is at the Mid Pines Rd. dog leg on the agricultural campus of N.C. State University near Yates Mill Park in Raleigh.
Another great spot to view both species is the Art Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds