Indigo Bunting

This sweet little video celebrates the Indigo Bunting and its song. It features footage I obtained from Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky. Look carefully at the second clip in the sequence-you can see the bird's breath condensing when he sings!
The strident, high-pitched, lively song of the male is usually made up of a series of doubled phrases: "sweet, sweet, chew, chew, see-it, see-it".
The Indigo Bunting gets its name from it's beautiful indigo blue color. Although quite common in shrubby clearings over much of the East, this species is not well known to the general public and is often confused with the Eastern Bluebird (there are only a handful of North American birds that are primarily blue in coloration).
© 2010 Lang Elliott
musicofnature.org

[@raemeredith3687]

Saw my first Indigo Bunting just a few days ago near my feeder here in southwest Virginia. Blue birds are such a rarity, and always my favorite. :)

[@ivry4846]

Merveilleux !!! Vous avez des vidéo d'une si parfaite qualité !!! Et sans musique (très important) !!!

[@Golgari213]

This video helped me pass my field bio exam. Thank you!

[@stevenfought2192]

Saw a male this morning near the Hocking River in Athens County, Ohio. My friend and I listened to him sing for at least half an hour.

[@honeypii]

Saw one a month ago and again today in western Iowa! So exciting!

[@danaharrisII]

I have a group of these that show up every May in my garden. They are stunning and love thistle and safflower chips

[@SoumiSu]

I don't know much about birds, but coming out of my Mechanisms of animal behavior class, the Indigo Bunting has become my new favorite bird. I'm just amazed by their ability to use a star compass (that they have to learn themselves by paying attention to the movement of the stars during the summer and finding the North Star aka Polaris, that is fixed in location) to orient themselves for long distance travels. These birds travel long distances at night and it's just amazing; I'm mind blown by what these little guys can do.

[@jwitherell1]

Soumi Thank you, for that information on their navigation. I just bought a small parcel of land, where Indigo buntings have been providing a nice distraction.

[@saidfeltane2665]

U are apsolutly writ it is an ammazing bird thanks

[@corrinjessen]

You are right but a lot of other song birds do this as well. Pigeons use the earths magnetic field to travel.

[@shawnboggs3177]

Soumi

[@janephis]

Soumi there is alsos a paint bunnting more azmaing

[@lindaihenderson660]

I have had one at my finch feeder for the last three days, I live on the south shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I have seen them briefly before over the past few years, but he has been here for a while. Stunning!

[@spartan7911]

I saved this birds life once at a parking lot in the Northern Houston suburb of The Woodlands.

[@lisasparks8892]

I have had 2 at my feeders over the last few weeks. They are beautiful

[@dawndownwindnc]

Thanks for this! I see them sometimes here in NC, but have never heard their famous song until now. Absolutely beautiful video.

[@jonathanronca]

I seen one this morning in Northern Illinois. It was in my bushes and he/she let me pet them and pick it up. Very cool experience.

[@myrnas.3060]

How sweet! I saw a bunch of these darling birds near the river.

[@polytelismedia]

Gorgeous! One of my favorite songbirds. Great video work as well

[@68lincoln]

A beautiful wild songbird. His color is amazing! I've yet to see one in my area although some local bird watchers tell that a few have been around here this month.

[@oldeschool221]

Very nice great song from a great beautiful bird a sure sign spring is here when you seeand hear the Indigo Bunting. Happy birding.

[@bethc9398]

I have had them visit my oriole feeder before! I use a Peter's Feeders one that has nice wide tube openings so maybe it was easier for them to drink? Such a treat to see in my yard.

[@luxiolooma]

Wow I didn't think it's voice would be so high pitched. I was writing a story and I had to do a lot of research to find the right bird. I think this is it!

[@arunjames6494]

that bird is beautiful looking

[@lynnborich7564]

I use the calls to attract more birds to our feeders...love the buntings sweet song!

[@Dxybelle1]

Thanks so much. My sister in Memphis has spotted on in her yard. I'm in St. Louis and have never seen one. How gorgeous!!!!!

[@frenchfrey65]

Our birdfeed just had 5 of these little guys! They're rare where I come from and we're lucky just to see 1!

[@miche1df]

Got new binoculars for my birthday, walked out on the back porch and saw a male indigo bunting bathing in the puddles in the drainage ditch behind my house. Good sign. (Also, I hear a tufted titmouse in the background!)

[@Cplacek]

Love this! Had Painted Buntings in my yard before but no Indigo yet. They are beautiful. Great video.

[@birdsroses]

Thank you, Lang Elliott for recording and sharing this bird's song.

[@macfinpol]

Great photography and beautiful bird. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

[@shirleymiller5047]

This was wonderful to find an d hear. Fantastic.

[@anngillis6684]

Very beautiful. Saw one in real life this morning. Make me glad.

[@csnowutube]

Very nice. I saw one today in North Georgia. 5/4/2013

[@درودچطوری]

Beautiful

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

Mr.Elliot you have taken a stunning video which has captured the Chirping & Twittering of the Indigo Bunting exactly without diminution ,actually the" Indian Rollers" found in Indian jungles has the same purplish - blue colour. But they are larger. If you aren't familiar with that bird you can have a look on the India bird videos. Thanks you.

[@cawiltu]

Thanks.

[@ryansmith6786]

My mom love these birds

[@sjlove2bird]

When I was a boy, this bird was a sure sign that spring had arrived in Upstate NY

[@tyraprovancial7780]

Just beautiful 💙💙

[@johnredhd]

This is a very common bird here in Eastern Iowa. I live in the middle of the city and still see them quite often.

[@MichaelKensinger]

I get a lot of people who ask me..."I saw a blue bird, but it was all blue!?" lol, these birds are SO common in my region of Pennsylvania but so often overlooked. Can't miss that song though.

[@CB-justabit]

Have one at my feeders - Columbus, MS.

[@mel_tillis2]

How pretty!! Have two males in the back yard. Seems they like my birdseed :-)

[@bumialit8214]

I love this video..☘️💚

[@TheFlyingHorse1]

So cute little bird! :D

[@diatoneic]

We have at least one visiting our feeders here in northeast ohio...he is so vibrant..

[@headlesspiper936]

I saw one of theses in a bird feeder once

[@delbisluques2236]

Hermoso azulejo.

[@mariaceciliamasiero]

wonderfullllllllllllllllllll congrats!!!!!!!!!

[@wutyify]

* SO CUTE *

[@patriciasebilian]

I found on in my yard...Ashland, NH

[@DarthTaiter79]

Recently saw one in my backyard :)

[@GSGExtreme44]

This is now my favorite bird - Cute, little fat ass -

[@indago459]

cool!

[@ozovskaofficial5565]

can we crossbred between indigo bunting with canary bird?

[@maxsmolin8750]

wow

[@paulrfontenot2594]

Great video!7u

[@peterpierron4740]

April 23 rd ish in my yard just 1 two days in a row

[@truonghongba]

一切动物无论飞禽走兽的叫声很好听！

[@noorrochman8231]

serinus atrogularis, please

[@h0neychick69]

Amazing !!! So Beautiful =)

[@williamstreit7116]

Excellent video. Birds are very difficult to capture singing and with such high quality video. You should get an award for this. Thank you for sharing.

[@nuslliw]

You can even see its breath when it sings. Gorgeous birds.

[@Ravenfellblade]

I finally identified it! I've been hearing this song for years, and could never identify the bird producing it until I finally saw this tiny blue Cardinal singing it on my fence today. I said to myself: "That's not right. Cardinals are red, and that's definitely not a Blue Jay. Too small, and no white on the chest." So I looked it up, and discovered the singer of this serenade has been an Indigo Bunting! What a beautiful bird!

[@shirleyshuler5689]

We've been hearing this beautiful song for about a week now. Spotted the male a few times. He's absolutely stunning! What a shade of blue!!!

[@trungsnow]

L😅 N😊😊😂 😊😊😊😊.n..l🎉66 600gm L😊😊😊🎉🎉l😢 1:24 1:24 1:24 😢 1:24 😢

[@RossOriginals]

Wow, that is a really vibrantly blue bird, I can see where it gets its name, it's like it's been dipped in indigo dye.

[@CaptainAmerica-jw2xh]

ONE OF MY TOP 10 FAVORITE BIRDS OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING!!!!!!!

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

My dad's all time favorite bird. We have actually nursed one back to health when he accidentally hit him (definitely a male) with his car coming home from work. As soon as he had recovered and could fly on his own again, we released him.

[@Galindorf]

What a wonderful story!

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

@@Galindorf Thank you!

[@j1morgan1]

Wonderful video. I look forward to the return of the Indigo each spring & usually see & hear 3 of them on my morning walk. When the male is in the right light there's nothing like that little blue bird.

[@marygeraci1703]

Awwwwwww there is just something about birds singing, it warms the cockles of my heart.

[@miguelclarkeottovonbismarck]

You have cockles in your heart? ha ha!

[@indioloco6600]

I sit in January, remembering this song from the summer. With a hot morning sun at my back, these birds would practically glow.

[@abdulyoutub]

I love it much better than pop music

[@reeddunnagan]

Yes

[@grandmapearl100]

What a beautiful bird with an equally beautiful song! Thanks for sharing this.

[@tiburonguireno]

What kind of camera did you use for this video

[@KittyKeypurr]

This video is EXTREMELY effective at bringing them in to chat!!! I had it playing less than two minutes and had them flocking to the nearby trees to engage 😂

[@BirdsNation]

Perfect video. A happy creature.

[@Catwoman12nc]

Wow! Incredible picture and sound quality in this video! Thank you for sharing. How in the world do you get such video? My guess is a LOT of patience. :-)

[@danross5510]

seen one only one time in my life and it was beautiful. we see alot of nice birds here in Wayne Co., Ohio

[@skamokamom]

We had a little male here in SW Washington State for three days. First one in our county, and only 4th one seen West of the Cascades. Had birders come from Seattle to see him!

[@theresaflynn4909]

Strong in song & heart. Knows no fear > needs none > because he can fly like none other.

[@tiny529]

I saw my first Indigo Bunting yesterday when my husband spotted him on our bird feeder. Gorgeous little fellow! Thanks for the video! Now I'll know what to listen for!

[@PhilFeedback]

Great video footage, thanks for sharing

[@Jewels1573]

I confirmed a sighting of this bird this morning outside (NE) of Atlanta. I had fleeting sightings earlier this week, but had the binoculars close-by to confirm. Hoping to get a photo. This is a great video - nice job!

[@C00lestNerd]

I lived in Atlanta all my life (I'm 69) until two years ago and never saw one. After moving close to Birmingham, AL, I see them daily at my feeders. Also one of my favorites.

[@pinkie3713]

An indigo bunting is my favorite bird

[@varikvalefor]

This video ended on a high note.

[@paulorientetheluffaranch]

They are amazing. We also have them in the mountains of North Carolina.

[@Mandolin1944]

Nice Northern Parula calls in this video too!

[@franciskhoury4288]

I think that's a Prairie Warbler you hear...which I sometimes confuse with the song of the Parula.

[@Mandolin1944]

I listened again and I am sure that you are correct. There are a LOT of birds on this one that is for sure -- Great Crested Flycatcher, Carolina Chickadee, Eastern Titmouse, Yellow Wabler, Am. Robin, White-eyed Vireo and several others great video -- the Indgo Bunting is so loud it is hard to nail the other more distant birds.

[@ldiconti]

I just saw one yesterday at Sky Meadows State Park in VA. So pretty.

[@didiconti]

What a pretty color. I would love to see it in person.

[@mlbrooks4066]

Where I used to live, an indigo pair would be the first migrating birds to come back every year and the last to leave in the fall. The male always sat atop a dwarf Alberta evergreen tree I had and sing like crazy, the first one every morning and the last one at. night. And they would not let me within 50 feet of their nest, even though it was my back yard. Luckily the driveway and garage were at the side, not in the back. But I loved them. I knew spring was here when they came and the day was starting when the male sang.

[@lenlen8099]

In Morton Grove, IL I saw one in 2012 but it was there for a very short time so I got a bad picture of it

[@siobhan20104]

I played this video loudly in my yard, and I was divebombed by three different indigos. They were going crazy with this new guy that moved in the neighborhood.😅

[@lindaandersen3289]

The Baltimore Oriole was my favorite bird till this little guy showed up at my feeder. Love watching him every day ♥️

[@mikefoley3785]

Not the greatest singers in the world, but so very beautiful.

[@ErinsProjects]

I am surprised you got this. This is the shyest bird that comes into my yard. I spot one every so often, but it is in and out rrally fast. So beautiful, though.

[@BarbaraGordonlacer1]

Love it's little sound. I wish I would see them more..

[@MrPow19]

These birds are not that easy to find, and you have to know their song and seek them out. They only eat seeds mostly in the winter in their range. Woodland edges are the best bet. If you live near the ocean your chances of seeing one are slim to none .

[@borderway]

I saw the first one in my life on my feeder today! Talk about surprising!

[@MattH-wg7ou]

Cameras just have a hard time capturing their super vibrant plumage! They are electric.

[@TheRosa63]

what a beauty we have them here in ohio only I never hear it sing now I know what to look for. don't worry about fleas, birds know how to get rid of them when they get annoyed by them. being a true christian requires a respect for his creations. finding the balance between nature and man can be a daunting task.

[@Zlimz24]

i dont anyone with this bird in queens besides me lol i love this bird i currently have 1 of them n he sing like crazy a very unique song and some of which he picked up from my song trained mule will post him up one day if any of u guys want 1 link me up

[@marksmith46]

Okay not to disparage religion (again) but I find it extremely contradictory that religious people praise God for His creations but seem hell-bent (pardon the pun) on destroying them at every opportunity. It's always "people first" with religion.

[@neilmcfadden456]

An Indigo Bunting recently fly into my window in Oak Park IL. after sampling the thistle in the back yard. RIP little birdie. Let's hope he had done his breeding. Beautiful creature.

[@bluezndance]

I had some of them visiting my backyard for a few days, in Robert Louisiana

[@schradeya]

We've got about 10 or so in our trees right now, in far east Texas!

[@iascoinc]

@AJBluesman If you look a little closer you can see the "Mites" and "Flea's" that have invaded it's feathers as they too are God's creations