Painted Bunting food (1 Viewer)

[sunsetview]

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Hello, well I've been a member here for all of two days and that is how long it has taken me to stumble upon this forum. I have posted in other areas that I know were not meant for my questions.
So here goes, I'm living in South Florida north of West Palm Beach. We just went through another Hurricane the 3rd here in the last two years. I think maybe the wind blew in a pair of Painted Buntings this time! I have lived here a long time and up untill yesterday I have never laid eyes on one here (let alone on my on property.) My backyard has lots of scrub brush and pines, that the birds love to hide in. I put out sunflower seeds for the Cardinals, Jays, and even the woodpeckers seem to love it. My hummers survived 100 + mile winds. Where did they go? How did they hang on? Sorry, I'm wondering off onto another subject.
Now finally, I get to my question. What can I put out to keep the Painted Buntings returning to my back yard? Seeds, but what kind do they like? Anything would be helpful to me. The female didn't mind showing herself all day long, but the male made only the one showing and I have not seen him since. Why does the male bird get all the color!! Not fair. Thanks in advance and happy birding to all.

 

[TBird]

You should see these birds in southern florida in the winter. As for the food, try Bread Products, Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit.

 

[Katy Penland]

Yes, to echo what TBird said, the birds overwinter in your area, so absent predators they just might stick around your yard.

Having a source of fresh, clean water for them is an excellent lure -- and bring in all kinds of other species as well.

Black-oil sunflower seeds are probably the best all-around food source, rich in oil and nutrients, and buntings -- like other larger beaked birds -- can easily handle the hulls. Or, if you don't want the mess of the hulls in your yard, offer just the hearts/chips. They're a bit more expensive but there's no waste. Not so sure about bread products, though -- too many commercial varieties have preservatives and other additives birds don't need nor should have.

 

[sunsetview]

Thanks for the advice from both of you! I am disappointed that I did not see the male or female today. Perhaps, it was a once in a lifetime thing. I'm happy with my hummers who have shown up already for the winter and also my finches that should be here any day. We have such a wondeful array of all kinds of birds, even seen a Great Egret yesteday. He was wading in a retention pond that is very close to my backyard. Caught himself a nice juicy water bug to eat too!
I will let you know if I see the Painted Buntings again anytime soon.

 

[jesimonello]

Painted Buntings

Your buntings may have landed in my backyard as I first spied the male yesterday and this morning saw the pair! The only other time I've ever seen a male was last winter when I lived in Port St. Lucie (I'm in Titusville now).

Like you, I'll do whatever I can to keep them here.

 

[sunsetview]

Your buntings may have landed in my backyard as I first spied the male yesterday and this morning saw the pair! The only other time I've ever seen a male was last winter when I lived in Port St. Lucie (I'm in Titusville now).

Like you, I'll do whatever I can to keep them here.

WOW! Just getting back to this post, sorry for the delay. I'm glad you got to share this rare sighting too! Did they stay awhile with you? I have not been able to spy them again here. Having problems attracting my finches this year too. Happy Birding in your new location.

 

[Dave B Smith]

Sunsetview,
There is a nursery just west of you in Hackberry Hammock. They have feeders out and the largest group of Painted and Indigo Buntings I've seen in Forida visit them all winter. I went out with the Martin County Audubon group. You might check it out and pay lots of attention to their feeders and what they are using.

 

[sunsetview]

Sunsetview,
There is a nursery just west of you in Hackberry Hammock. They have feeders out and the largest group of Painted and Indigo Buntings I've seen in Forida visit them all winter. I went out with the Martin County Audubon group. You might check it out and pay lots of attention to their feeders and what they are using.

Thanks for that info Dave. I sure will check it out and let you all know how it went. I'm sure missing them in my yard. Also, having not had any finches this year. Feeder is in the same location as last, but not one has showed up this year. Last year had a whole family of them.??
Just tried to check that area out Dave is it:
The teaching gardens at the University of Florida's (UF) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC)?

 

[Dave B Smith]

Sunsetview,
It's a commercial nursery out west of town. I believe the name is Hackberry Hammock Nursery. Here's a link to a commercial nursery in town by the same name and they should be able to give you info for the one further west (where they actually grow the plants): Hackberry Hammock

You might also contact Martin County Audubon who often schedule field trips there in the spring. Here's their link: Martin County Audubon

Good Luck,

 

[sunsetview]

Sunsetview,
It's a commercial nursery out west of town. I believe the name is Hackberry Hammock Nursery. Here's a link to a commercial nursery in town by the same name and they should be able to give you info for the one further west (where they actually grow the plants): Hackberry Hammock

You might also contact Martin County Audubon who often schedule field trips there in the spring. Here's their link: Martin County Audubon

Good Luck,

I will be calling both of them in the AM! Thanks for all of your help and your links.

 

[sunsetview]

A date with the Buntings

Hi Dave, just giving you a follow up. I got in touch with the nursery and talked to the owner, Jim. He was very friendly and helpful. Told me he owned the land that the feeders were on. It's his home. Told me who to call with the Saint Lucie Audubon for they are the next ones who have a planned trip out to his place. I called and got put on the list to visit there in March! So, thanks again. Jim, was telling me as we were talking on the phone that he had several painted buntings and indigo's outside his window. They seem to follow him to his place of business too! LOL! He invited me to come by his office for a quick fix. I told him I would probally take him up on that, cause I can't wait till March to see them.
Also, he told me what he feeds them. He swears by white millet only. So, I have my order in for that feed to see if I can draw just a few into my yard. I hope others will read this and start feeding them too.

 

[gcatbirdgal2127]

when in the winter do painted buntings come, cuz i really really want to see them i mean its probably once in a life time oppertunity but hey i saw a bald eagle perch on one of the trees in my perserve in my back yard and wowwww i was like in awe he came twice but he hasent been back ever since it was awesome

 

[sunsetview]

gcatbird

when in the winter do painted buntings come, cuz i really really want to see them i mean its probably once in a life time opportunity but hey i saw a bald eagle perch on one of the trees in my perserve in my back yard and wowwww i was like in awe he came twice but he hasent been back ever since it was awesome

Sorry that I am just now reading your question. I'm still trying to figure out how to get around in here!
Last year my painted buntings show up in Oct. and did not leave untill late April. I was off work then and could watch for them daily. This year I put out the seed and waited and waited. Just as I had lost all hopes for a return appearance, I spotted two females and one male at the feeder the last weekend in Dec. They could have been here all this time and I just did not see them. They love to hide in the thick brush and trees in my side yard. We also have alot of stray cats in the area this year. It is very upsetting to me, just today I caught a Orange tabby under the feeder. I scared him away, but I'm sure this is making the buntings very shy. They are already that way to begin with.
My advice to you is to hang your feeder out with the seed, and wait. They will come. Where in Fl. are you located? Good Luck