From Opus

Passerina ciris

Photo by richard bledsoe
Location: Sebastian, Florida, USA

[edit] Identification

5 1/2" (14 cm). Male - bright red underparts and rump, green back, blue head, red eye ring. Female - bright green all over, paler below.

[edit] Distribution

Two ranges: Western range includes eastern New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, southern Kansas, southern Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, western Mississippi, and northern Mexico. Eastern range includes South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Winters south to Panama and the Greater Antilles. Accidental vagrant north and west of range.

[edit] Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of two subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Open areas with dense brush at all seasons.

[edit] Behaviour

Diet includes seeds and insects. These birds forage mostly on the ground or in low brush. They are territorial with males defending the territory by singing from a high perch, often hidden among the uppermost foliage of a tree. Males will fight to hold territories; these fights are sometimes bloody and even fatal.

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