The Indigo Bunting's namesake blue colour is not due to pigments, but rather the microscopic structure of the feathers, which scatters and reflects light to create the brilliant blue appearance. Males are prodigious singers, and each song is slightly different, based on the songs a male hears when he is young.
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Indigo Bunting
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Moderate Increase
Confidence: High
Goal
Within Goal Range
The Indigo Bunting breeds along forest edges and in shrubby woodlands from southern Manitoba to southern Quebec and slightly into the Maritimes. It overwinters from southern Mexico to coastal Colombia and Venezuela, and across much of the Caribbean. There are approximately 1.7 million individuals in Canada, representing 2% of the global population and a low degree of responsibility for Canada. The Canadian population of Indigo Bunting has shown a moderate increase relative to 1970 based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Confidence in this assessment is high because coverage is good and precision in trends is high for this species. The national population of Indigo Bunting is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
1,700,000
Annual
1,700,000
Global
77,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Long-Distance Migrants
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Indigo Bunting. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/degp-c243
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The Indigo Bunting's namesake blue colour is not due to pigments, but rather the microscopic structure of the feathers, which scatters and reflects light to create the brilliant blue appearance. Males are prodigious singers, and each song is slightly different, based on the songs a male hears when he is young.
Distribution and Occurrence
19460
Loading...
Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Breeding Bird Survey
Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
Ontario Forest Bird Monitoring Program
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Long-Distance Migrants
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Indigo Bunting. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/degp-c243