Painted Bunting

I will finally reflect on my tumultuous relationship with this very beautiful birdie. Ever since I downloaded the Merlin birding app, one of my goals was to see this bird. To me, it looks as it if doesn't belong in the Oklahoma reigon at all! Though I appreciate the beauty of all birds - even the boring grey ones - it was so refreshing when on one of my hikes in 100+ degree weather, I finally saw this beautiful bird. I was very lucky to see one as they come here in the summers only, and head south by fall. As I have mentioned on here before, it can sometimes be hard to discern the brilliant colors of these birds in certain types of lighting, I found the red to be the easiest to see.

The first time I saw this bird I was tracking its call for around an hour - following it as it flicked through the trees. I eventually got close enough (and a good enough angle) to positively identify it as a female painted bunting. Females are fully green, which is why I had such trouble identifying it, and I don't think they make themselves as obvious as males during nesting season. Though I technically did see a painted bunting, I wasn't fully satisfied until I saw a male.

It wasn't until late July when I saw a male for the first time. I knew from some online blogs that these birds like to sing visibly from the tops of trees - so theoretically, it would be easy to spot. Their call is very melodic and unforgettable, especially in my mid-summer delirium LOL! On that same trail where I saw the female, I often traipesed the edge of the wooded areas in hopes of catching a glimpse of red, blue, and green. To be totally honest, when I saw it for the first time I only saw the red on the stomach (perhaps a jeuvinile?) and thought it was a scarlet tanager! I am known for being unable to see the darker blues and greens of birds... so take my words with a grain of salt. I was able to observe it for 20 mins while sitting in a patch of grass and eating some (luckily still cold) grapes. I remember that day fondly.