Glossary Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Painted buntings are common in many parts of Texas. Their habit of remaining in deep brush except when the male sings early in the morning often cause them to be overlooked. When the brightly colored male is noticed, he is often mistakenly thought to be an escaped tropical bird. Male painted buntings have red breasts and rumps, green backs, blue heads and dark wings.
Females are greenish above and buff below.
Painted buntings usually nest 2 to 4 times a season. Pale bluish or grayish white eggs are mottled with reddish-brown spots towards the large end. Seeds and insects Male painted buntings vigorously defend their territory against other males occasionally fighting them to the death. Painted buntings are common summer residents in much of Texas, and the southeastern U.S. and Mexico. They prefer the heavier cover found around streams, forest edges and other areas with dense under story.