Aug 9, 2018: Painted Bunting

On Wednesday morning I received a text from Paul Domoto stating that he had found a male Painted Bunting at the Park, along the Upland Trail.  However, I didn't see the message until 1.25 hours later, after finishing collecting data from a field 45 minutes north of Ames.  While driving back towards Ames I made the decision to make a quick stop to see the bird, since it would be a special treat for my two student workers (non-birders).  We pulled into the main parking lot and learned that Paul was still present.  Within minutes we had caught up with Paul at the Upland Trail's bend to the west, just north of the north trailhead.  Paul had the bunting in sight but it flew off before I could get my binoculars on him.  We continued up the trail, towards Jensen Pond.  I heard the bunting song just before he flew off to the east, to the tall trees just south of the trail.  The orange-red coloring of his belly was quite evident when he perched.  We hurried down the trail for a closer look.  We all had good views of this male.  Then he flew down to shrubs along the north side of the trail, before heading westward again.  

I returned in the afternoon and relocated the Painted Bunting.  He was more active and visited the shrubs more often.  Unfortunately, he dove deep into the vegetation and would only occasionally pop out.  He never stayed out in the open for long.  Paul and several birders found him again on Thursday morning.  The bunting spent some time chasing a male Indigo Bunting.  After work I returned to the area and spotted the bunting, again, chasing an Indigo Bunting.  This photo came from that chase, when he paused for a couple of seconds to "catch his breath".  Paul and a few others relocated bird on Friday morning.  Those of us that came out in the afternoon - early evening weren't so fortunate.

This record is only the 4th year that a Painted Bunting has been found in Story County.  The other three came from Brookside Park (2006, 2007, & 2008), when a (presumed same) male showed up for the Summer months.  I did see him try to "court" a female Indigo Bunting, but I don't know if he was ever successful.  Painted Buntings are normally found from south Missouri to the Gulf Coast, west to El Paso (TX), east to the Atlantic coast, and south through Mexico.  It's a special treat to have him visit us!

(Wolf. Oesterreich, 8/9/18)