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:

This guy has a blue head!

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!

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

I made a little video of two “greenies” who were splashing around in the birdbath.  They had issues deciding who should get to stay!