[title size=”2″]Indigo Buntings in the Ozarks[/title]

A male indigo bunting

The beautiful birds known as Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea) are a relatively common sight in the Ozark region. These bright-colored migratory birds rely on the brush and woodland areas, including canebrake habitats, of the Ozarks for nesting and breeding. The coloring of the Indigo Bunting varies by gender and season; in the summer, males have bright blue plumage, which fades to a mottled brown and blue color in the winter. Females have dull brown plumage in the summer and more mottled plumage during the winter months. In the spring, the Indigo Bunting can often be seen in large flocks, and birdwatchers can spot them among the tall stalks of weeds on the edges of fields and roads, or in brushy habitat. The average length of these birds is 5.5 inches, and they have a small cone-shaped bill and a rounded body with a long projection.

While Indigo Buntings are known to migrate south to Mexico or Central America for the winter months, some resident Indigo populations remain in the Ozarks year-round. They will be easier to spot in the spring and summer months, however, because they are more active during this breeding and nesting season, and the bright blue coloring of the males is easily recognizable during these months. The Indigo Bunting has a dry, metallic-sounding call that sounds something like “pik.” Its song, on the other hand, is a sweeter melody that consists of a series of varied paired sounds. The vibrant beauty of this small migratory bird is an impressive sight and should not be missed when visiting the Ozarks.