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True buntings are birds of the genus Passerina, in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) and order Passeriformes (perching birds). Four species can be found in Canada: indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea), lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena), blue grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) and painted bunting (Passerina ciris). Two other Canadian birds are colloquially referred to as buntings in Canada, but are not true buntings; the lark bunting is a member of the sparrow family (Emberizidae), and the snow bunting is a member of the longspur family (Calcariidae).
Range and Habitat
The indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) nests in open deciduous forests and parkland from southern Manitoba, across southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec to southern New Brunswick; its western counterpart, the lazuli bunting (P. amoena), nests in brush country from southern British Columbia to southern Saskatchewan.
Description
Male indigo buntings are blue all over; male lazuli buntings have blue heads and backs, two white wing bars and cinnamon breasts shading to white on the abdomen. Female indigo and lazuli buntings have quite similar dull brown plumage. The female lazuli bunting has two wing bars. Both species are around 14 cm long. Hybrids have been discovered where ranges overlap. Both species are migratory, wintering in Mexico and Central America.
