Colorful Birds

This spring we were fortunate to have a number of Indigo Buntings pass through and make a stop at our bird feeders.   

Here is an English House Sparrow at the feeder with an Indigo Bunting.  The Bunting is somewhat smaller  than the  sparrow.

And then they hung around all summer long, a first for us.  

There were at least 3 adult males.  

I'm not sure how many of non-descript females were around.

I believe this is a female Indigo Bunting.

But I am not certain.

The females often have some blue on the wings, and I don't see any blue on this one.

The males are unmistakable with their nearly solid blue color.  The heads are often darker, almost purple.

Their nearest relative, the Lazuli Bunting, has a white belly and orange chest.  The Indigo Buntings breed in North America and winter in Central America.  We may see these birds or their relatives in Belize.

The cardinals are another colorful bird that show often at the feeders.

The Cardinals live here year round.  They sure can brighten up a dull winter day.