If the Bluebird, as is said, carries the sky on its back, the male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

carries the sky all over his body. It’s always a treat when these birds travel through our region,

and, luckily once they arrive in the Spring, they stay around for quite a while – I’m not surprised to

see them even well into the summer, and I also see them in the Fall when they are on their way to

their wintering habitats.

This fellow was all fluffed up on a

very cool Spring day – 12MAY09.

And there he is below, as he

checked out the feeder from

a perch next to a holly bush.

Here is the much plainer female. This is the

best shot I’ve been able to get of a female.

They are, as you see, not nearly as noticeable

as the males, and much more reticent to come

near the house where the feeders are located.

This was taken in May, also, but one year

earlier, 2008.

This is how the males look when they are molting

into their summer plumage. During the winter,

they are much closer in appearance to the

females. This photo was shot on April 26, 2008.

Notice that both males and females have the distinctive two-toned bills, a dark upper

and a light lower. Sometimes that’s the only way to identify the female as a bunting.

13May09

And here are a couple handsome lads,

looking very pleased with themselves,

with their feathers all neatly slicked down.

And here is a male in the middle of summer, 22 July 2012.