Blue bunting Cyanocompsa parellina

Identification Tips:

• Length: ? inches
• Small, conical bill
• Rare stray to Texas and Louisiana

Male:

• Deep blue plumage (in poor light appears black)
• Blackish wings and tail with blue edges

Female:

• Dark brown upperparts
• Warm brown underparts

Similar species:

The Blue Bunting is very similar to the Indigo Bunting but is a deeper blue and has a larger bill. Females very similar. Blue Grosbeak similar but has brown wing bars.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.