Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Pinal County

This Painted Bunting was found by Rick Wright on 08 Augusut 2016 and photographed by Marc Shlossman on 08 August 2016 and Cindy Marple on 11 August 2016

Painted Bunting is a rare but regular visitant to southeast Arizona during late summer and early fall and is casual at other times and areas.  While the pattern of migrants in Arizona suggests that fall migrants are wild birds, Painted Buntings are common cage birds in Mexico and it is generally impossible to know if birds are escapes or not, especially adult males or when seen outside of the normal fall migration. Multiple birds were found across southeast Arizona around this time suggesting wild origin for all.

The male Painted Bunting is unmistakable, with a blue head, red breast, and green back.

08 August 2016, photo by Marc Shlossman

11 August 2016, photo by Cindy Marple

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