The indigo bunting is a small seed-eating bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to northern Florida during the breeding season, and from southern Florida to northern South America during the winter. It often migrates by night, using the stars to navigate. Its habitat is farmland, brush areas, and open woodland. The indigo bunting is closely related to the lazuli bunting and interbreeds with the species where their ranges overlap.
Region
North and Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds across southern Canada and much of the eastern and central United States in brushy edges, old fields, hedgerows, and open woodlands. Winters from southern Florida through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to northern South America. Prefers early successional habitats, fencerows, and riparian thickets with scattered shrubs and saplings. Often uses farmland edges, roadsides, and regenerating clearcuts where dense low cover is available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males appear a brilliant indigo-blue in breeding season due to structural coloration, not pigment, and molt to a browner plumage in winter. The species migrates largely at night and is known to use star patterns for navigation. Indigo buntings favor shrubby edges and second-growth habitats and often sing persistently from high perches. They are closely related to the lazuli bunting and hybridize where their ranges meet.
Illustration of male and female indigo bunting between 1910 and 1914.
Juvenile male indigo bunting at Smith Oaks Sanctuary, High Island, Texas
Indigo bunting nest and egg laying.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding flight
Social Behavior
Males defend territories vigorously and sing from exposed perches during the breeding season. Nests are open cups placed low in shrubs or tall forbs; the female builds and incubates, while the male guards and sings. Often produces one to two broods per season. Outside breeding, individuals join loose flocks, especially during migration and on wintering grounds.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A bright, rapid series of paired notes that often rise and fall in sequence, repeated frequently from treetops or wires. Calls include sharp chips used for contact and alarm. Regional song dialects occur, learned from neighboring males.
