Lazuli Bunting Male (Passerina amoena) photos by Larry Jordan
The weather has been strange this year to say the least. Here in northern California we are just now getting temperatures in the eighties and the rain is subsiding. I don’t even know if the weather has anything to do with it but we have seen a major influx of Lazuli Buntings (Passerina amoena) recently.
The female is not as flashy as the male but is beautiful in her own right.
A friend and fellow Audubon board member lives about twenty miles from me, at a slightly higher elevation, and told me she had a flock of Lazuli Buntings visiting her yard. She invited me over to photograph these beautiful birds and this is the result.
The male has the intense turquoise blue plumage, aptly named after the semi-precious gemstone Lapis Lazuli. Note the black upper mandible in contrast to the pale blue lower mandible.
This is most likely a yearling male. The male Lazuli Bunting doesn’t reach his full brightness of plumage until he’s at least two years old. Note the brown feathers on his nape and back and the buff tips on his greater coverts.
Here you can see an even younger male behind him.
And a mature female in the background of this photo.
If you love wild birds and you want to see some great bird photos from around the world, you have to check out World Bird Wednesday and join in the fun!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
my lord these are stunning birds!!!! gems, for sure!
TexWisGirl´s last post ..Dog Days of Summer- Baron
That blue is incredible!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
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Such beauties.
I’m always amazed at the beautiful birds from around the world.
holdingmoments´s last post ..Great Crested Grebes
Such a beautiful bird and your captures are awesome Larry! Your spring sounds very much like ours here on the mid coast of Maine, cool and very wet.
MaineBirder´s last post ..Nature’s Jewel- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
That is some blue! Almost artificial. Our kingfishers have a touch of that which they flash when flying. Fancy having so many of them around to enjoy.
They are stunning! Never seen them before!
Beautiful birds and how wonderful to see a whole flock of them. Great photos.
Mick´s last post ..Norman Point
These are beautiful birds, Larry. There were lots of birds at Eagle Lake over the weekend but I didn’t see any of these.
Martha Z´s last post ..Grebe Courtship
Wow, lucky you! They are gorgeous birds. Great photos.
Eileen´s last post ..Black Bellied Whistling Ducks visit Baltimore
THESE are stunning!!!
Sondra´s last post ..WBW 30-Parenthood
What a spectacular bird. How many would you see in a normal year? Love the two toned beak!
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@All thank you for your kind comments!
@Dave I haven’t seen any at my house for many years. That’s why I was excited to find out that my friend had this flock at her house. After photographing these at my friend’s house, I did see a flock briefly on the road to my place.
I love those buntings. They are so colorful and their song is amazing. Great pictures and send a few more my way. I have only had a few this year.
Bill S.´s last post ..Bullocks Orioles return to Madison County
Incredibly beautiful bird! Your photos are excellent!
Pat´s last post ..Red-winged Blackbirds
What a gorgeous species! It’s fun to see so many together too!
Pat Ulrich´s last post ..Tomales Point
Larry, these fellows are gorgeous and your photos really bring out that incredible blue. I’ve never seen a Lazuli Bunting, but I did get to see Painted Buntings in SC recently!
Kelly´s last post ..A Painted Bunting eating grass seeds
What a stunning blue color- almost looks unreal! Thanks for sharing!
Hilke Breder´s last post ..More Birding on Mt Washington- NH
nice bird and very informative shots.
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