Indigo Bunting

[Anonymous]

Big Frank, thanks for your help today in identify the warblers at Rosette MacLean.  After Rosette I went to the area at the bottom of Midland Avenue above Bluffers Park and saw an Indigo Bunting for the first time ever.  Very exciting.  There were warblers and as the trees aren't as tall as at Rosette you get a closer look.  I even managed a photo of a Magnolia warbler.  I think I'm getting hooking on birding.

[BIGFRANK]

Most welcome Mo and Congratulations on the Indigo Bunting,a beautiful bird. I will keep the spot U mention in mind. There is a guided walk early tomorrow morning at Colonel Sam Smith Park at 730am. It is at Kipling and Lakeshore and you and anyone else can join in.Its main focus is to see warblers and with abit of luck though its a little early Whimbrel. There are often people of all skill levels there from new to very experienced. I'll be making the trek via transit first thing tomorrow morning.

[Anonymous]

Just at dusk tonight I almost fainted.  A small blue bird landed on my feeder.
It turned and I could definitely see a ruddy breast, but it wasn't as big or as bright as I would expect an  Eastern Bluebird to be.  Since I also live in Scarborough, I am guessing I saw "your " bunting, or a relative.   But the ruddy breast-- more rust than red-- puzzles me.  Maybe still moulting a bit, except it was quite well defined, not widespread?.

In any case VERY exciting.

Ellen

[Lloyd]

Hi Ellen. There's no doubt what you saw was an Eastern Bluebird. An Indigo Bunting, even in immaturity, has no rust in it's breast. The overall size of an Eastern Bluebird is larger than a House Sparrow whereas the Indigo Bunting is roughly the same size as a House Sparrow.  Also of note, the Indigo Bunting is almost a "neon" blue and the Bluebird's shade is lighter.

[Anonymous]

Well. I thought so too, but I have never heard of a Eastern Bluebird in the city, or at a feeder. Thought they were birds of the field.
 Have I been missing something here ( I am a very well treed lot, but even so ! )   Can hardly take my eyes off my back yard now, in case it returns!

[Anonymous]

sorry-- the above post was from me-- forgot to enter my user name.

Ellen

[Lloyd]

Hi Ellen. For many years I too thought, incorrectly, that Eastern Bluebirds were somehow associated with southwestern Ontario and that the likelihood of spotting one in or around Toronto was slim. But just a few years ago while on a Sunday morning drive I spotted a pair of these delightful birds on the hydro wire of a concession road in Brampton. They flew to the ground after I stopped the car but rewarded me with several minutes of excellent viewing. Don't forget also, Ellen, that this is a most remarkable time of the year. There are many birds passing through on their spring migration flights. Keep your eyes open. Your apt to see anything!