Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click here to visit Classifieds

A Blue Bird

sandee May 22, 2003 08:59 AM

For the last four days a completely dark blue bird has been feeding at my finch feeder. Can someone tell me what kind of bird it might be. No other color but blue. I don't think it is a bluebird??

Also, the yellow finches that have been swarming the finch feeder for weeks have not shown in days. I hung a hanging flower basket near the feeder. Could that be it? Although, that blue bird was not bothered by it.

Thanks!

Replies (3)

PHWyvern May 22, 2003 01:05 PM

>>For the last four days a completely dark blue bird has been feeding at my finch feeder. Can someone tell me what kind of bird it might be. No other color but blue. I don't think it is a bluebird??
>>
>>Also, the yellow finches that have been swarming the finch feeder for weeks have not shown in days. I hung a hanging flower basket near the feeder. Could that be it? Although, that blue bird was not bothered by it.
>>
>>Thanks!

Bluebirds are tricolored ...a lightish blue, rust/rosey red, and white. You probably saw an indigo bunting if you saw an all dark blue colored bird. Try to get a hold of a copy of Peterson's Field guide to birds or some other brand of field guide to check.

As for the finches, many of them loose their bright colors during the warmer months as with nesting and raising babies you don't want to attract attention to the nest. The duller colors provide better camouflage.
-----
____

Wyvern

sandee May 22, 2003 01:08 PM

Thanks so much for the info! I've never heard of an indigo bunting. Is it in the finch family? I'm going to try to find the book you mentioned. Do you know if the indigo buntings prefer other food besides the thistle from the finch feeder? I'd like to keep them around for a while.

PHWyvern May 22, 2003 06:16 PM

>>Thanks so much for the info! I've never heard of an indigo bunting. Is it in the finch family? I'm going to try to find the book you mentioned. Do you know if the indigo buntings prefer other food besides the thistle from the finch feeder? I'd like to keep them around for a while.

The indigo bunting are finch-like in appearance yes. Someone also mentioned to me that you possibly might have a Blue Grosbeak (also finch-like in appearance). They tend to be darker shade of blue than the indigo buntings. They both enjoy eating weed seeds (ie such as thistle) much like the goldfinches do, but they also will go after insects so you probably would not want to spray any pesticides in the yard if you wish to keep these birds hanging around.
-----
____

Wyvern

Site Tools