Lazuli Bunting vs Western Bluebird

Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena

How to recognise a lazuli bunting?

General appearance

The lazuli bunting is a small passerine bird with a compact body and a distinctive blue and orange coloration. Its short, conical bill is well-suited for seed-eating. The bird's wings and tail feathers are dark with bluish edges, offering a striking contrast to its vibrant body colors.

Male vs female

Males are renowned for their bright blue plumage on the head and back, contrasting with a vivid orange breast and white belly. Females, however, are more subdued with brownish tones overall, tinges of blue on the wings and tail, and paler underparts. This sexual dimorphism helps in easy identification.

Juvenile

Juvenile lazuli buntings resemble females in their coloration with predominantly brown feathers. As they mature, young males gradually develop the characteristic blue and orange plumage seen in adults. During this transition, they may exhibit a patchy mix of brown and emerging blue feathers.

Size

5.1 - 5.9 in/0.5 - 0.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Lazuli Bunting typically breeds in brushy areas with open grassy ground nearby. These habitats include scrub oak patches, chaparral, and streamside thickets.

Additional range

During migration and in winter, it can be found in weedy fields, open woods and brushy places. It also sometimes inhabits sagebrush or pinyon-juniper woods.

Range Map

What do lazuli buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

The lazuli bunting primarily consumes seeds and insects. During the summer, more than half of its diet consists of insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, true bugs, wild bees, and ants. In the winter, its diet shifts to include a higher proportion of seeds. These seeds mainly come from grasses, along with weed seeds and waste grain. The young lazuli buntings are mostly fed insects.

Bird feeders

Lazuli buntings are occasionally drawn to bird feeders that offer small seeds such as millet or sunflower seeds. Feeders with mixed birdseed blends can also attract them, especially during their migration period when alternative food sources are beneficial.

What does a lazuli bunting sound like?

The Lazuli Bunting's vocalizations comprise a high-pitched, excited series of warbled phrases, typically starting with repeated first notes. Its song descends the scale and ascends towards the end, echoing the Indigo Bunting's song but with less distinct phrases and only repeating the initial ones. The call patterns are complex and undulating with a buzzing, chirp or chip, and whistle-like type of sound.

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

How to recognise a western bluebird?

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western bluebird primarily inhabits scattered tree areas, open conifer forests, and farms. It breeds in semi-open locations such as pine and oak woods, streamside groves, and ranch country, but avoids hot, dry regions.

Additional range

In winter, it is found in semi-open terrains, brush, deserts, and pinyon-juniper woods. It also occupies varied open or semi-open habitats like farmland.

Range Map

What do western bluebirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The diet of the western bluebird primarily consists of insects and berries. During the summer months, insects are predominant in their diet, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants, and various other insects. In the winter, the bluebird's diet shifts to include a significant amount of berries and small fruits. Some of the berries they consume are the fruits of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry.

Bird feeders

Western bluebirds are not frequent visitors to bird feeders. However, they might occasionally be seen at feeders offering mealworms, which mimic their natural diet of insects. They may also be attracted to feeders with fruit offerings, like diced apples or berries, aligning with their fondness for small fruits and berries.

What does a western bluebird sound like?

The vocalizations of the western bluebird are diverse with soft calls resembling 'phew' and 'chuck' sounds. Its song typically emits as a subdued 'cheer, cheer-lee, churr'. The bird’s calls exhibit a falling or flat pattern and are typically perceived as a chirp, chip, or whistle. These distinct sounds represent the unique communication language of the western bluebird.

Song

Audio by Ryan Winkleman

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Lazuli Bunting

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Western Bluebird

Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena

General appearance

The lazuli bunting is a small passerine bird with a compact body and a distinctive blue and orange coloration. Its short, conical bill is well-suited for seed-eating. The bird's wings and tail feathers are dark with bluish edges, offering a striking contrast to its vibrant body colors.

Male vs female

Males are renowned for their bright blue plumage on the head and back, contrasting with a vivid orange breast and white belly. Females, however, are more subdued with brownish tones overall, tinges of blue on the wings and tail, and paler underparts. This sexual dimorphism helps in easy identification.

Juvenile

Juvenile lazuli buntings resemble females in their coloration with predominantly brown feathers. As they mature, young males gradually develop the characteristic blue and orange plumage seen in adults. During this transition, they may exhibit a patchy mix of brown and emerging blue feathers.

Size

5.1 - 5.9 in/0.5 - 0.6 oz

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Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

There's more to learn about Western Bluebird

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How to tell the Lazuli Bunting from the Western Bluebird

Visual differences

Lazuli Bunting and Western Bluebird differ visually in several ways. Lazuli Bunting males are striking with bright blue heads, backs, and orange breasts, contrasting their white bellies. Females are brown with blue hints. Western Bluebird males exhibit deep purplish-blue on upper parts and reddish-brown chests, with gray bellies. Females are duller and grayer overall. Lazuli Buntings have short, conical bills, while Western Bluebirds possess slightly thicker bills. Lazuli Buntings are smaller, measuring 5-6 inches, and typically weigh less (0.46-0.63 oz) than the larger Western Bluebirds, which measure 6-7 inches and weigh 0.85-1.09 oz.

Key differences and behavior

Lazuli Buntings and Western Bluebirds differ in several behavioral aspects. Lazuli Buntings, measuring 5-6 inches, develop unique songs and recognize each other by voice, often forming 'song neighborhoods'. They inhabit brushy areas for breeding and shift to weedy fields and open woods in winter, primarily consuming seeds and insects. Their nests are built in shrubs by the female. Conversely, Western Bluebirds, larger at 6-7 inches, inhabit open conifer forests and farmlands, avoid dry regions, and eat insects and berries. Males display by singing and fluttering during courtship, and nests are in tree cavities, often made by the female. Lazuli Buntings may visit feeders for seeds, whereas Western Bluebirds, less frequent visitors, might be attracted to mealworms or fruits at feeders. These differences in songs, habitat preference, diet, and nesting help distinguish the two species in the field.