Hybrid Indigo x Lazuli Buntings (Passerina cyanea x P. amoena), Granite Creek Park, Yavapai County

One hybrid Indigo x Lazuli Bunting was found and photographed by Felipe Guerrero on 25 May 2015. Returning to the area on 27 May to get more photographs of the bird, he located a second individual.

The first and second photos below are of the first individual found. The third photo is another individual.

This hybrid combination is rare but regularly reported in areas where both species are found together. Indigo Bunting is an uncommon, but local breeder and migrant in the state.

Typical hybrids are intermediate between the two species, with more extensive blue than a Lazuli and lacking the orange breast band, but show white wing bars and extensively white underparts of a Lazuli. The second bird appears to be one of these typical birds. The first individual appears to have some warm color on the breast, which may be an expression of the orange breast band of a Lazuli but more likely these are the scattered brown feathers of a second-year male.

27 May 2015, photo by Felipe Guerrero

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer