Varied Bunting Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesVaried Bunting

Females are tan overall with unmarked wings and a clean breast. Note the thick bill with a curved upper mandible.

Somewhat hefty finchlike songbird with a thick bill. Males are and unmistakable blue and reddish purple overall, but can appear dark from a distance.

Females are pale brown overall with an unstreaked breast.

Males have a blue body marked with reddish purple chest and nape. Occurs in scrubby woodlands, thorn forests, areas near streams, and desert washes.

Female/immature Painted Buntings are more yellow-green overall than female Varied Buntings which are browner overall.

Female/immature Lazuli Buntings have 2 pale wingbars whereas female Varied Buntings have plain brown wings.

Female/immature Indigo Buntings have a streaky breast and wingbars whereas female Varied Buntings have an unstreaked breast and plain wings.

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