Indigo Bunting,Passerina cyanea.
April 18 to October 25. Very common migrant and summer resident. One of the most
numerous of the migrant species that nests in the region. Common along the edge
of the forest adjoining open farmland and in dense fencerows with tall trees in
open country. It also nests in the forest interior where there are openings of
sufficient size. In 1986, at least five birds returned to the same 40 acre area
near Durham in Washington County where they had been banded in 1985.
Painted Bunting,Passerina ciris.
April 16 to August 30. Fairly common summer resident in small numbers. Observed
or heard in unkempt open country broken by dense thickets or extensive fencerows
with some tall trees, often overgrown fields with cedars, neglected railroad
right-ofways, also in towns where shrubby-thickety conditions prevail. Several
pairs may be found in some places where there is enough suitable habitat. At
least five were singing near Lincoln Lake on June 8, 1986.
Dickcissel,Spiza americana.
April 24 to October 20+. Common migrant and summer resident. Inhabits large open
fields with tall grasses and tangles of vegetation like blackberries, persimmon
sprouts, etc. It frequently attempts to nest in hayfields, but because of mowing
successful nests are likely only along the fencerows or in abandoned fields. There
is one well-documented winter record of a single bird that visited a feeder at
Harrison on December 4, 1983.