If you live in the western half of the United States, you’re likely to see these aquamarine songbirds throughout most of the spring and summer. They provide a pop of color and a burst of song to brushy, grassy landscapes. Here are 13 interesting facts about Lazuli Buntings.
13 Facts about Lazuli Buntings
1. They are native to the western United States.
Only the western United States is within the Lazuli Bunting’s habitat range. They are short-distance migrants, which means they do change locations between summer and winter but don’t travel extremely far.
During the breeding season they can be found along the west coast of the U.S., east to the Dakotas, and as far south as northern areas of Arizona and New Mexico. In the fall they will head south during the night, and spend winters along the western coast of Mexico with a small population in southeastern Arizona.
2. They prefer open, brushy areas
The Lazuli Bunting is not a bird that prefers deep forests. Instead of leafy canopies and rustling branches, it likes to live in open woodlands interspersed with thickets and meadows. Residential gardens, brushy areas along agricultural fields and shrubby areas near streams are all great habitat for these birds.
When predators do appear, thickets make great hiding places large predators can’t get into. Lazuli Buntings stay close to the ground so they can dart into a brush pile at the first sign of danger.
3. Lazuli Buntings search for food near the ground.
Unlike some other insectivorous songbirds that forage for insects in the tops of trees, the Lazuli Bunting hunts for insects closer to the ground in leaves and grasses. Its favorite live prey are grasshoppers, beetles, and ants.
To supplement their protein intake, Lazuli Buntings incorporate seeds and berries into their diet. Some native options that grow in the western United States are chickweed, chokecherry, and oats. They are known for balancing on stems and grasses to reach seeds.
4. Males defend their nesting territory by singing.
