We continue to play host to a little group of Painted Buntings in the backyard. They’ve been here since December, and it’s going to be sad when they leave! We haven’t seen a male in a few nights, but we usually see between three and six “greenies” in the evenings. “Bunting hour” tends to be between 5:30 and 7 in the evening.
Several of our “greenies” are little boys. They are starting to molt into their adult plumage. Now I can distinguish between the individual birds, because their molt patterns are a little different.
This guy looks like he has a black eye, with his blue colors coming in around his eyes only:
![Painted Bunting Painted Bunting](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Painted-Bunting_Backyard_20110412_5.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Painted Bunting
This guy has a blue head!
![Painted Bunting Painted Bunting](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Painted-Bunting_Backyard_20110412_1.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Painted Bunting
I’ve been letting a few weeds grow in my yard, because I see the buntings continue to go to them to eat. I hate to say it, Dyeyo, but Mum-mum is right—the birds do appreciate the wild food!
![Painted Bunting Painted Bunting](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Painted-Bunting_Backyard_20110412_3.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Painted Bunting
The buntings are nice and share their feeder with the House Finches. The mockingbirds aren’t so nice. They are getting territorial and chasing off my buntings. :-p
![Painted Bunting Feeder Painted Bunting Feeder](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Painted-Bunting-Feeder-with-House-Finches_Backyard_20110409_1.jpg?resize=500%2C0)
Painted Bunting Feeder
I made a little video of two “greenies” who were splashing around in the birdbath. They had issues deciding who should get to stay!