Painted Bunting Observer Team

02/16/2013

Did you see this photo posted by our new friend Greg P. yesterday? He emailed last Saturday from snowy New Jersey to report this greenie on his feeder, and it was still visiting him as of Valentine's Day. With Greg's help (his well-stocked feeder, dense bushes or evergreens for roosting overnight, and a source of unfrozen water), this healthy-looking adventurer can handle the cold weather. Thanks for reporting this sighting, Greg!

Seen at backyard feeder Sat Feb 9 after 3 inches of snow fell overnight. Manahawkin, NJ

01/27/2013

I'm always delighted (and made a little jealous, as most of us in the breeding range are) by photos like this one from our friend Gretchen W. in S. Florida. For the majority of the year, PB males are too territorial to group like this- they often won't share a feeder with another male, much less bathe together! But in the winter it seems they are able to dampen the competition *just enough* to enjoy a few pool parties... :)

01/25/2013

THIS JUST IN: a male Painted Bunting has been spotted in Newport News, VA! It's going to be a cold visit for that guy, but his very pleasantly surprised human host is making sure he is well-fed and has a supply of unfrozen water. A nice dense evergreen or hedge to roost in overnight will also help him stay warm. I hope all our friends, both feathered and human, are staying warm today!

12/23/2012

11/22/2012

Happy Thanksgiving from PBOT! We are thankful each & every day for our wonderful volunteers & everyone who cares for Painted Buntings.

11/06/2012

I got an email yesterday from an experienced birder named Geoff who spotted what could only be a male Painted Bunting in his backyard... in South Bend, Indiana! Big storms (like Sandy) can blow migrating birds far off course, which is probably how this poor bunting found himself in very unfamiliar territory. Thanks to Geoff for reporting his unusual sighting!

10/24/2012

Debra C. often noticed these two greenies together this summer, and suspected they were a mated pair. The green plumage of a young male Painted Bunting may fool us, but it did not fool this wise female!

10/03/2012

I had to share this adorable photo of Debra C.'s mated Painted Buntings... this male is very protective of his female, who lost a foot last winter but seems to be doing just fine without it!

09/19/2012

While true sightings may be few and far between right now, I'm trying to catch up on uploading all the photos submitted to us this summer... so for a vicarious "sighting", take a look at our Flickr page!

The Painted Bunting Observer Team (PBOT) is a citizen-science program dedicated to researching and educating the public about the Eastern (US) Population of Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris), a...

09/12/2012

It is official! I know when I'm only getting a handful of sightings every day that our feathered friends are migrating! I hope all of you in the winter range (Florida, Cuba, and Mexico for the eastern population, Mexico and Central America for the western population) have given your feeders a good scrub and filled them with white millet as a warm welcome for these tired and hungry travelers. Thanks for all you do to care for these special birds!

08/25/2012

Brian & I have banded over 100 Painted Buntings this trip (5 days, 7 sites)- mostly hatch-year juveniles & females. A banner year for babies on Bald Head! Thanks to all our Carolina friends for taking care of our breeding parents & their babies!

08/25/2012

One of the last males of the season on Bald Head Island, NC- recaptured today as a molting 2nd year male.