The Indigo Buntings are all-male birds that are one of the most beautiful summer birds in the East. They are small, sparrow-sized, blue all-over, and have a slightly richer blue on their head and a shiny-gray conical bill.
These lovely creatures sing from dawn to dusk with cheerful gusto from treetops to telephone lines all summer. They can be found in weedy fields and shrubby areas near trees. You would wonder how to attract these little creatures as much as it captivates you.
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Where can They be Found?
These birds are usually found throughout the eastern U.S. and into Canada. They are most commonly seen in brushy pastures and bushy wood edges. They can also be seen sitting up and twitching its tail in weedy margins of fields that meet the edge of forests or woodlands.
Best ways to Attract Indigo Buntings
Indigo Buntings eat foods like insects, tiny seeds, plant buds, and berries. They also love visiting backyards during migration, especially when they have shrubs, overgrown grass, and bird feeders with Millet or Nyjer Seeds. Read more to find out what best attracts Indigo Buntings!
Nyjer Seeds
Nyjer seeds are tiny and rich in fatty oil that is definitely a favorite amongst many birds. American Goldfinch, Dark-Eyed Junco, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and of course, our very own Indigo Buntings, love to eat Nyjer Seeds! Although, keep in mind that these are actually some of the most expensive types of birdseed in the market.
The best way to provide these would be tube-shaped feeders with narrow feeding ports, wire mesh feeders, and mesh socks since these are perfect for finches like Indigo Buntings. Although, take note that not many manufacturers design feeders for Nyjer Seeds.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a plant of the daisy family that ranges from 2 to 5 feet in height and blooms small bright yellow flowers in tall clusters. They usually bloom from August to October and are a favorite of insects, thus attracting birds like the Indigo Buntings in return.
Indigo Buntings are not the only ones attracted to the seeds of Goldenrod. These also attract other birds such as American Goldfinch, Black-Capped Chickadee, Dark-Eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, and many more.
Millet
One favorite of the Indigo Buntings is millet seeds. These are high in protein and small, making them one of the most popular for ground-feeding birds like American Goldfinch, House Finch, Doves, Juncos, and Sparrows. It is best to place millets in ground feeders or just sprinkle some on the ground.
Wild Blackberry
Also known as brambles, wild blackberries are sources of food for birds such as Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, House Finch, Indigo Buntings, and other insectivorous birds. These usually range from 3 to 8 feet in height and 6 to 12 in width.
Wild blackberries are thorny, making it a top shelter and nesting location for birds. It is even considered the most commonly used for Indigo Buntings.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are probably the best flower you could choose for attracting birds. Ranging from 3 to 10 feet, they bloom their signature color of brown and yellow from July to August. They attract different species, from insects to birds.
Many birds are fond of sunflower seeds; These include American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Insectivorous Birds, and of course, the Indigo Bunting. Even humans love to eat sunflower seeds!
More ways to Attract Indigo Buntings
Although the best way to attract Indigo Buntings is through their stomach, there are also other ways you can catch the eye of these beautiful songbirds;
Trees and shrubs
Indigo Buntings are very fond of trees and shrubs. They especially like American Elderberry, Beech, and Dead Trees.
American Elderberries are a good choice for your yard. It is one of the best bird-attracting plants because of its shrubby nature, making it a suitable nesting place for some birds like the Indigo Bunting.
Beech is a plant that produces beechnuts, which is a vital food source for many creatures, including birds. It acts as a host for insects and caterpillars, attracting birds in return.
Dead trees, though seemingly worthless, still provide invaluable ecological purposes as birds like to nest in the cavities of these dead trees. As long as it poses no danger of falling, birds will still use these as perches and singing posts.
Bird Feeders
You can actually attract Indigo Buntings with bird feeders. The Hanging Tube Feeder and the Platform Feeder are just some of the best choices. Here’s why;
The Hanging Tube Feeder is an excellent choice if you are looking to attracting small birds like finches. These are also great as they discourage large birds and pests that could steal the feed. Some birds that use the Hanging Tube Feeder include American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Pine Siskin, and Indigo Buntings.
They say simplicity is beauty. The Platform Feeder is a perfect example because its design is simple. It is actually just an open tray where any bird can access the feeds it holds. Just sprinkle on some bird feed, and the birds will come flying.
This can be a problem as this means not only birds could access this. Other animals such as squirrels and other bird feeder bullies could also take the feed. This can be combatted by adding a baffle so only birds like Indigo Buntings could access it.
Conclusion
Indigo Buntings are blue and beautiful songbirds that usually reside in open woodlands. You will usually see them perched on telephone lines through the trees or in weeded areas in fields. They are not fond of birdhouses or buildings and prefer low places where they will not be disturbed. Although, there are still ways to attract them.
They are very fond of different foods such as insects, tiny seeds, plant buds, and berries. They can also be attracted by trees and shrubs and even give purpose to dead trees. If you’re looking to woo one, you can even use bird feeders. Just make sure to protect these beauties from any large birds in their way.