Buntings are some of the most colorful birds in North America, and seeing one in your backyard feels like a rare treat. Fortunately, attracting them is easier than you might think. With the right mix of food, cover, and seasonal awareness, you can turn your yard into a bunting magnet, whether you’re hoping for indigo, painted, lazuli, or even varied buntings.
Article highlights:
- Which buntings you can attract depending on where you live
- Best seeds, feeders, and water sources to use
- How to plant and arrange your yard for bunting habitat
- Seasonal tips to increase your chances during migration
Common bunting species you might be able to attract
Depending on your region, here are the main types of bunting you may be able to attract:
- Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) – Found across the eastern and central U.S. during spring and summer. Males are deep, vibrant blue.
- Painted bunting (Passerina ciris) – Found in the Southeast and south-central U.S. Males are rainbow-colored, and females are bright green.
- Lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena) – Found throughout the western U.S. Males have sky-blue heads, rusty chests, and white bellies.
- Varied bunting (Passerina versicolor) – A more southwestern species found in parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Males are purple to red.
Most buntings can be attracted using a similar approach, no matter the species. If you provide the right mix of food, water, and natural cover, you’ll have a solid foundation. However, there are a few subtle differences between species, like where they prefer to feed or how much cover they need, that can improve your chances. We’ll break it all down in the sections below.
How to attract buntings to your yard – 9 tips
1. Offer the right seeds
Buntings prefer small seeds that are easy to eat, and offering the right ones is one of the fastest ways to attract them. White millet is the go-to favorite for painted and indigo buntings, while nyjer seed and finch mixes work well for indigo and lazuli buntings.
Scatter seeds on low trays, platform feeders, or even directly on the ground near cover. Avoid sunflower seed and cracked corn, which tend to attract more aggressive species that can drive buntings away.
2. Use feeders they’re comfortable with
Buntings don’t do well on narrow perches or hanging tube feeders. Instead, offer flat surfaces like open trays or ground-level platforms where they can feed comfortably and watch for danger.
Painted buntings especially prefer to feed low and close to cover. Lazuli and indigo buntings are a bit more flexible and may visit raised feeders if they feel secure. Keep feeders clean and consistent to encourage return visits.
3. Add native plants for food and shelter
Native vegetation provides natural food sources and cover for buntings throughout the year. Grasses, wildflowers, and berry-producing shrubs can turn your yard into a miniature habitat that supports their needs beyond the feeder.
During nesting season, native plants also attract insects, which are a crucial food source for bunting chicks. A mix of plant heights and densities is best. Good choices include:
- Little bluestem
- Switchgrass
- Coneflowers
- Black-eyed Susans
- Beautyberry or elderberry shrubs
4. Provide fresh water
Birds need water just as much as food, and buntings are no exception. A shallow birdbath or dish placed near cover can be a major draw, especially during warm weather and migration periods.
Add a dripper or small fountain to create movement, which helps birds find the water more easily. Refresh the water every couple of days and place stones inside for safe footing.
5. Keep things calm and consistent
Buntings are shy songbirds that avoid noisy, high-traffic areas. Place feeders and water in quiet corners of the yard away from pets, children, or heavy foot traffic.
Once they find a safe and reliable feeding site, they’re more likely to return throughout the season. Avoid frequent changes to feeder location or food type, and give them time to settle in.
6. Know when to expect them
Buntings are migratory, and knowing their seasonal patterns can help you prepare your yard at the right time. Feeders and plants should be ready ahead of their arrival window so you don’t miss your opportunity.
- Indigo buntings arrive in spring and leave by late summer
- Painted buntings appear in April and stay through early fall
- Lazuli buntings visit the West from late spring to midsummer
- Varied buntings arrive in the Southwest during the summer monsoon
Watch migration maps or local sightings to time your setup more precisely.
7. Avoid pesticides and herbicides
Keeping your yard chemical-free helps support the insect population buntings rely on, especially during breeding season. Many homeowners unknowingly reduce their yard’s natural food supply by spraying pesticides or herbicides.
Let your plants grow naturally and avoid treating areas where birds feed, drink, or nest. Even small changes like hand-pulling weeds can make a big difference in supporting a healthy bird habitat.
8. Leave some natural brush or debris
Brush piles and natural debris provide important hiding spots for buntings. These areas mimic the wild spaces where they feel safe and comfortable nesting or foraging.
Instead of clearing every fallen branch or pile of leaves, let one corner of your yard stay a little untidy. This rougher edge helps buntings feel at home and encourages repeat visits.
9. Reduce competition from aggressive birds
Buntings, such as indigo buntings, can be easily driven off by more dominant backyard birds like blue jays, grackles, or blackbirds. Keeping your feeders bunting-focused can help reduce this competition.
Use seed blends without sunflower or corn to discourage aggressive species, and place bunting feeders away from larger general feeding stations. If possible, offer separate feeding zones with partial cover just for buntings.
Conclusion
Attracting buntings is all about creating the right conditions like with small seeds, dense native plants, fresh water, and a quiet place to rest and feed. These beautiful birds aren’t aggressive or showy in behavior, but they reward patience and consistency. Even a small backyard can become a reliable stop for buntings if it feels safe and natural.
Once they find your setup, they may return every season. So keep your feeders clean, your plants thriving, and your eyes open because you never know when a flash of blue, green, or rainbow will stop by.
Jesse has been feeding birds in his backyard and bird watching across the country for years. He loves learning about the different species and sharing his knowledge and experiences on this website.