The rose-bellied bunting or Rosita's bunting is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is endemic to a very small area of southern Mexico.
Region
Southern Mexico (Pacific slope of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca and adjacent Chiapas)
Typical Environment
Occupies tropical dry and semi-deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and second-growth woodland on hillsides and along arroyos. It uses forest edges, clearings with scattered shrubs, and riparian thickets, often where dense foliage offers cover. The species can persist in moderately disturbed habitats but declines where dry forest is extensively cleared. Territories are typically in low to mid-elevation foothills within its narrow coastal-slope range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Rosita's bunting, this striking species is confined to a small area on the Pacific slope of southern Mexico. Males show a vivid rose-pink belly contrasting with rich blue upperparts, making them one of the most colorful buntings. Their restricted range and reliance on dry forest make them sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Temperament
shy and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low flights between cover
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups, especially during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low to mid-level in shrubs or small trees. The species is generally territorial while breeding, with males singing from semi-exposed perches within dense foliage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A sweet, musical warble delivered in short phrases, often from concealed perches. Calls include sharp metallic chips and soft tiks used for contact between mates.
Plumage
Male with bright blue head and upperparts, blackish wings edged blue, and a distinctive rose-pink belly and lower underparts; female is olive-brown above with buffy underparts and a faint pinkish wash on the belly. Both sexes have a thick, conical bill typical of buntings.
Diet
Feeds on small seeds, berries, and soft fruits, supplemented by insects and other arthropods, especially in the breeding season. It gleans from foliage and twigs, picks seeds from grasses and herbs, and occasionally drops to the ground to forage. Seasonal fruiting shrubs are important food sources within dry forest mosaics.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense shrub layers, forest edges, second growth, and along streamside thickets. It prefers areas with a mix of cover and open spots where seeds and fruits are accessible.
