Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea (Linnaeus, 1766)    Synonyms: INBU, Indigo Bird.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Passeriformes   >   Family Cardinalidae   >   Genus Passerina   

Status:

Common breeder found across the state. Prefers grasslands and edge habitats. Males are very vocal. Learning their song will help you find these beautiful birds.

Description:

Male Indigo Buntings are small and entirely blue. Compare with the larger Blue Grosbeak.

There are 744 records in the project database.

View full eBird Range Map

View taxon at iNaturalist

View taxon at NatureServe

Search Google Images

Search MBP Facebook posts (beta | requires login)


[View seasonality details]

Indigo Bunting in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/14/2023). (c) Brady O'Brien, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - brady_obrien via iNaturalist.

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO 
An Indigo bunting in Baltimore CO., Maryland (5/12/2012). Photo by Jon Corcoran. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Harford Co., Maryland (6/9/2018). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (5/15/2019). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/29/2019). Photo by Andy Connelly. (MBP list)

A second-year (SY) male Indigo Bunting in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/2/2012). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (6/29/2016). Photo by Daniel Irons. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Cecil Co., Maryland (7/22/2018). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/6/2021). (c) Dave, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Dave via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A male Indigo Bunting in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/17/2017). Photo by Dan Haas. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Prince George's Co., Maryland (6/25/2016). (c) Jason E. Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jason Avery. (MBP list)

A female Indigo Bunting in Kent Co., Maryland (10/4/2008). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (11/28/2017). Photo by Daniel Irons. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/10/2018). Photo by Monica Pileggi. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/1/2017). Photo by Andy Connelly. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (12/1/2017). Photo by Daniel Irons. (MBP list)

A late Indigo Bunting at Sunset Park in Worcester Co., Maryland (11/9/2014). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

A late Indigo Bunting found during the Rarity Roundup in Worcester Co., Maryland (11/12/2016). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting in Prince George's Co., Maryland (10/4/2020). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/22/2011). (c) Matt Tillett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by mtillett via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting nest with three eggs in Harford Co., Maryland (7/4/2017). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

A nice comparison of Indigo Bunting vs. Blue Grosbeak at Fort Smallwood, Maryland (9/11/2011). The Indigo Bunting is flanked by two Blue Grosbeaks. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A juvenile Indigo Bunting in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/22/2023). Note antennae of protruding from bill from a recent insect meal. (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A male Indigo Bunting in flight at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014). Photo by Ashley Bradford. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting nest in Howard Co., Maryland (8/19/1976). Photo by Joanne Solem. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/6/2023). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Indigo Bunting nest and eggs in Harford Co., Maryland (7/4/2017). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/22/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. Photo by Sergei Drovetski. (MBP list)

Indigo Bunting being banded in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (8/8/2013). (c) Ari Rice, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ari Rice via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A male Indigo Bunting being banded in Baltimore Co., Maryland (5/20/1979). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)


View All Images

Use of images featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.