[tn-bird] Re: Indigo bunting question
- From: RubyThroat@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 06:28:59 EDT
In a message dated 5/13/02 5:33:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time, SSheliga@xxxxxxx
writes:
>
>
> A pair of indigo buntings has been visiting the backyard feeders. Today, I
> noticed two lighter-colored blue birds, darkish wings, same size and beak
> as
> the adults, feeding with the adults. I had assumed these were fledglings,
> until I looked up indigo buntings in some bird ID books.
> According to these books, immature buntings look like the female. The
> coloration I saw looked like 'first spring', again according to the ID
> books.
>
> So what are these lighter-colored birds doing here? Why would they be
> feeding with the adults? Did the adults call up the teenagers from school
> to
> help out with a new brood?
>
> Thanks for any info
>
>
Sharon
Your "lighter-colored blue birds" are almost certainly second year male
Indigo Buntings. These male birds that hatched in the summer of 2001 are
often a mixture of worn brownish and blue feathers that make them appear much
lighter. I took two such birds from the nets yesterday as part of a MAPS
banding project.
Our understanding of the molt patterns in buntings leave something to be
desired, but we are learning.
Enjoy the day. God Bless.
Bob Sargent
Trussville, Alabama
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