Orange-breasted Bunting
Passerina leclancherii
Beautiful small bunting of lowlands and foothills; endemic to west Mexico. Occurs in brushy woodland and edge, adjacent weedy fields, and open grassy areas. Often in small groups, feeding on roadside grasses and flushing up with brilliant blue flashes. Also feeds at all levels in fruiting trees and bushes. Male unmistakable: electric turquoise blue and green above; rich yellow below with a burnished orange breast. Female duller overall: greenish above and yellow below, with a bluish tail. Female brighter yellowish below than slightly larger female Painted Bunting.
Identification
The orange-breasted bunting grows to a length of about 12.5 cm (5 in) and is slightly smaller than the rose-bellied bunting (Passerina rositae), which shares its range. The adult male has a pale green crown, turquoise blue nape and upper parts, often tinged with green, and a turquoise tail. The lores, eye-ring and underparts are canary yellow, deepening to golden-orange on the breast. The adult female has greyish-green upper parts and yellow underparts. The iris is dark brown, and the beak and legs are grey. The song is a rather plaintive warble, rather slower and less drawn out than that of other members of the genus.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Passerina leclancherii
- Authority
- Lafresnaye, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cardinalidae
- Genus
- Passerina
Range and habitat
The orange-breasted bunting is endemic to Mexico. Its range extends from the Pacific coast in southern Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán and Guerrero to western Chiapas, and inland to the western part of Puebla, an area of about 276,000 km2 (107,000 sq mi). It inhabits tropical dry forest and arid scrubland, thorny thickets, bushy deciduous woodland, clearings and woodland edges, at altitudes up to about 900 m (3,000 ft). It has a patchy distribution, not being present in some areas of apparently suitable habitat. It is more abundant in secondary growth than in undisturbed forest. The species was introduced to the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1941 but did not become established, and was extirpated by 1952.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The birds form small groups when foraging or may forage in pairs. The diet of this species has not been studied, but in general, buntings in this genus are seed-eaters, with some fruit and invertebrates being eaten. Birds in captivity will consume white millet, hemp seed and thistle seed, as well as hard sweet apples, ant cocoons and mealworms. Breeding takes place in the wet season in May and June. The nest is a cup-shaped structure formed of rootlets, grasses and dry leaves, with a softer lining and is built in a low bush or thick scrub. A clutch of three or four bluish-white or greenish-white eggs are laid.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-capped Bulbul
Rubigula melanictera
Medium-sized greenish bird with a bright yellow underside and black head. Occurs in a variety of habitats, wherever there are trees, including forest, open woodlands, and gardens, in the lowlands and foothills. Usually encountered in pairs or small groups. Yellow throat and lack of black in the wing separates this species from Black-hooded Oriole. Unmarked, black head identifies Black-capped Bulbul from Yellow-eared and Yellow-browed Bulbuls. Song is series of warbling whistles, rising at the end, “wet-wet-wet-wer-wer-wer-weer.” Also gives churring calls.
Banded Quail
Philortyx fasciatus
Very small quail of open brushy woodland and weedy fields in dry regions; endemic to interior southwest Mexico. No other quail in most of its range and habitat. Occurs in coveys for much of year, usually of 5–15 birds, which often feed along quiet roadsides early and late in the day. Flushes explosively with shrieking chatter when disturbed. Sexes look alike, with dark crest spike and boldly barred belly.
Elegant Pitta
Pitta elegans
A typical pitta: plump, short-tailed, long-legged, and primarily terrestrial (sometimes perches up to call). Bright green above with electric blue shoulder patch and rump and black head with conspicuous pale brow. Underside golden-buff with black and bright red on the belly. Plumage varies geographically, with forms varying in eyebrow, throat color (white or black), and extent of red and black on belly. Juvenile duller, with little blue in wing, an orange-tipped bill, and a pinkish belly. Inhabits woodland, forest, scrub, and plantations in lowlands and hills; some populations migratory. Sometimes arboreal when calling. Voice varies throughout range; generally a variation on “wit-wit-deer” or “werwer-dew!”
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