Varied bunting
Passerina versicolor
Identification Tips:
- Length: 4.5 inches
- Small, conical bill with curved culmen
Adult male:
- Black around base of bill
- Dark purple plumage-can appear black in poor light
- Dark blue areas on head and rump
- Dark red nape
- Blackish wings and tail
Adult female:
- Brown plumage-paler below
- Immature plumages similar to adult female
Similar species:
The male Varied Bunting is distinctive in good light. Females are very
similar to other female buntings but can be identified by their more curved
culmen. Female Lazuli Bunting has white 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.
Patuxent Bird Population Studies
Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter