Watercolor portrait of Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea
Song

Learn to identify the Indigo Bunting by ear. Master the "High, sharp paired notes: "sweet-sweet chew-chew see-it see-it"" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“High, sharp paired notes: "sweet-sweet chew-chew see-it see-it"”

What the Indigo Bunting sounds like

A small finch-like songbird. Breeding males are a striking brilliant blue overall – appearing like a "scrap of sky" with wings. The male's plumage is indigo blue with slightly darker wings and tail, and silver-gray bill. Females are brown and lightly streaked, with subtle hints of blue on the wings or tail and a pale whitish throat; they resemble a sparrow in coloration. Young males in their first summer are patchy blue and brown. Despite the male's vivid color, note the short conical bill and small body size (about 5 inches).

“High, sharp paired notes: "sweet-sweet chew-chew see-it see-it"”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:The male Indigo Bunting's song is a bright, upbeat series of musical phrases, often in couplets. A typical song is rendered as "sweet sweet chew chew sweet sweet," a high-pitched, hurried warble lasting 2–4 seconds. Each male sings one complex song composed of a set of phrases, which he repeats throughout his life. The song has a bouncy, cheerful quality and is delivered from treetops or wires from dawn to dusk in summer. Often written as “High, sharp paired notes: "sweet-sweet chew-chew see-it see-it"”.
Don't confuse with:The Blue Grosbeak — larger with a heavier bill and in males a distinct chestnut wingbar.

Where you'll hear it

Neotropical migrant. Breeds across the eastern and central U.S. (and parts of southwestern U.S.) and southern Canada in summer. Migrates at night to wintering grounds in southern Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Arrives on breeding grounds in late April and May, departs by September. Not resident in most of North America during winter, except for a few in southern Florida or other warm locales.

Edges of woods, brushy fields, and roadsides. Prefers patchy open habitats with low shrubs and nearby trees. Often found in overgrown weedy fields, hedgerows, powerline cuts, young regenerating forests, and along woodland edges. During migration, may gather in flocks to feed in agricultural fields or grasslands. Winters in shrubby clearings and forest edges in the tropics. Readily uses second-growth and disturbed areas.

Males begin singing persistently at dawn in spring to establish territories. Indigo Buntings sing from high perches (treetops, telephone lines) throughout summer days. Breeding occurs in late spring and summer; they often raise two broods. By late summer, males molt into a brownish (eclipse) plumage with only hints of blue and cease singing. In fall migration (August–October), they may form loose flocks. At night, they navigate by the stars during migration.

Similar species

Blue Grosbeak

Larger with a heavier bill and in males a distinct chestnut wingbar.

Lazuli Bunting

Western counterpart with different coloration: breeding male Lazuli has a bright blue head, orange breast, and white belly, plus white wingbars.

Indigo Bunting song FAQ

What does an Indigo Bunting sound like?
The male Indigo Bunting's song is a bright, upbeat series of musical phrases, often in couplets. A typical song is rendered as "sweet sweet chew chew sweet sweet," a high-pitched, hurried warble lasting 2–4 seconds. Each male sings one complex song composed of a set of phrases, which he repeats throughout his life. The song has a bouncy, cheerful quality and is delivered from treetops or wires from dawn to dusk in summer. Listen for the "High, sharp paired notes: "sweet-sweet chew-chew see-it see-it"" phrase.
How do I tell an Indigo Bunting from a Blue Grosbeak by sound?
Blue Grosbeak: Larger with a heavier bill and in males a distinct chestnut wingbar.; Male Blue Grosbeak is a deeper navy-blue with two rufous wing bars, and female is warm brown with wing bars.; Female Indigo Bunting is smaller, plainer, and lacks wing bars..
When is the best time to hear an Indigo Bunting?
Males begin singing persistently at dawn in spring to establish territories. Indigo Buntings sing from high perches (treetops, telephone lines) throughout summer days. Breeding occurs in late spring and summer; they often raise two broods. By late summer, males molt into a brownish (eclipse) plumage with only hints of blue and cease singing. In fall migration (August–October), they may form loose flocks. At night, they navigate by the stars during migration.