What do painted buntings like to eat

Undoubtably one of the most colorful native bird species in the continental United States, the Painted Bunting is a joy to see for birdwatchers in the Southeast and southern Midwest.

In the greater Wilmington area, Painted Buntings can be found within 1 mile of salt water. The males have the familiar coloration blue head, bright red underparts, and bright green on the wings and back. These birds are the only solid green finch-like birds that live in our area.

Young males will remain green until the fall of their second year, when they finally molt in their bright colors. The cheerful yellow flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and the seeds will attract birds in the fall, including buntings, and continue feeding birds into early winter. Painted Buntings like substantial cover nearby in case a predator like a hawk or house cat suddenly shows up.

They need to feel secure before venturing out in the open. Below is a photo of ideal Painted Bunting habitat in the wild. See all the shrubs and trees around? For a tree to be big enough to count as cover, it probably needs to be at least 10 feet tall or so.

Generally the more spread it has, meaning the bigger around it is, the better. This will give birds plenty of room to fly in and out, and to hide. As long as it has water and an easy place to perch or stand, then birds will almost certainly use it. The important thing is to keep the water fresh and change it out regularly. Not only is clean water more attractive to birds, but it stops the spread of bacteria and disease.

Keep your water in a shaded spot to slow evaporation and discourage bacteria and algae growth. About Painted Buntings. Notice the Little Titmouse January 5, Attract Nut-Loving Nuthatches December 30, From Brenda Kitchen November 23, Discover the Joys of Attracting Birds.

For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Painted Buntings are seed eaters. Their short conical bills make it easy for them to crack open their favorite treats with a simple, quick action. Attracting these buntings to your feeder can take a lot of patience on your part.

These birds are shy and prefer to skulk in the underbrush that they love. Your best bet for feeder placement is to place a tube or hopper feeder in a quiet corner of your yard.