Indigo Bunting vs. Blue Grosbeak

[Jeff Haake]

Both species have been seen recently at Elson's Woods.  Both these shots were taken in the Fen area.  Are they two Buntings, or is one a Grosbeak?

[frakerpovc]

Jeff --

I would lean towards two Buntings. The first bird structurally looks like a bunting, but the wing is a bit tricky.

I think that first bird would have more color up in the shoulder (and maybe the wings generally) if it were a Grosbeak. There would be some structural differences in appearance also.

Also note the rest of the similarities in structure between your two birds, excepting the wing pattern.

That's my thought.

Matt Fraker

[Matthew Cvetas]

Indigo Buntings +1

-Matthew

[Greg Neise]

H. David Bohlen (via Becky Dyer) sent me an email saying: "...both birds are Indigo Buntings with the first pictured individual (with the greater amount of brown in wing) would be a 2nd year male whereas the last photo would be an older male."

[robirdman]

For a unique side by side comparison of the 2 species go to

http://theearlybirder.com/grosbeak/blue-grosbeak/index.htm

and click on the first picture.

[John Longhenry (Mesquakie8)]

Would concur with all the previous posts regarding the fact that these appear to be Indigo Buntings.  We trap a number of them during the spring migration this year and the first pic indeed does indicate an SY male (second year) and the 2nd picture does look like an ASY (after second year) male.  Neither beaks appear to be those of a grosbeak.

[Jeff Haake]

That shot from the "early birder" is truly amazing, and a great illustration of the contrasts.  Thanks for the heads up!