All of Oregon's blue-colored birds are appreciated for their dazzling appearance, but the striking plumage of this summer visitor is accompanied by a song described as vivacious, varied, well-articulated and sweet.

Males are unmistakable when singing from a prominent perch, flashing deep azure upper parts with rich orange-brown breast and flanks, a white belly, and white wing bars. Females are warm brown and relatively plain, though they share with males the habit of twitching the tail to one side when excited.

The Lazuli bunting is fairly common in low-elevation dry valleys in Curry County but are becoming uncommon north through the Coquille River Valley. They are rare along the immediate coast from north Coos County north to Cascade Head, Lincoln City. They are a common breeder in the Rogue and Umpqua River valleys and fairly common in the south Willamette Valley, becoming less common north to the Columbia River.

Hear the song of the Lazuli bunting

Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp