Passerina versicolor versicolor

(Bonaparte, 1838)

Order                 :Passeriformes

Family               :Cardinalidae

Genus                :Passerina

Species              :Versicolor

Subspecies        :Dickeyae

                          :Pulchra

                          :Purpurascens

Explanation of the name:

The name comes from the different colours of the male.

Description:

The Varied Bunting measures 13 to 14 cm (5 to 5,5 inches). The male has purple colours with a red chest and a red “hat” on the head. The colours change depending on the light that falls upon the bird. The female is brown.

The subspecies may have different colours and lenght.

Habitat:

The Varied Bunting lives South of the USA and in Mexico. It’s an endemic bird that remains in that area and does not migrate. The weather is dry and hot during the whole year and seasons are hard to distinguish. As a consequence, it has to be acclimized to our weather conditions very carefully. Once acclimized, it’s a strong bird that can stay outside during the hole year, provided it has a dry shelter.

Behaviour:

The Varied Bunting is a fearful bird that feels comfortable in the low bushes, the edge of forests and near fresh water. Singing, the male defends his territory and he also sings at night. He feeds with seeds, plants, flowers and insects during the whole year.

Breeding in the wild:

The female makes the open-cup nest near to the ground in a bush. It lays 3 to 4 eggs. The length of incubation is 12 days. The length to fledge is approximately 11 days. The young birds are fed with insects.

Breeding in captivity:

Breeding results are rare. If you search in magazines and on the internet, you won’t find much practical information about breeding the Varied Bunting.

So, if you have Varied Buntings or a solitary bird, contact the EPS so we can start a breeding program!