Painted Bunting with dilute plumage? Key Largo, FL (1 Viewer)

[i.like.birds]

Hello! I am curious about this bird I saw on my feeders this morning. It looks to be a Painted Bunting, which we do get them in the fall & winter, but it has very dilute plumage and slight color variation. I've searched for examples online but have not found any to come close to the bird I saw this morning. This is around the last couple weeks we should be seeing them this far south. I am basically looking for a confirmation, or if anyone knows any variation, morph, hybrid info, I'd love to learn!

I've attached some photos, and also have links to video clips to share for ID purposes.

Feeder View Video
Bath View Video

 

[Andy Adcock]

A first year bird yet to complete it's adult moult?

 

[i.like.birds]

A first year bird yet to complete it's adult moult?

Good thought, but painted buntings remain a green color, much like the coloring of the female for the first 2 years of life. When they start to change into adult plumage they look more spotty & ratty rather than such dilute coloring, and the chest still remains a brilliant reddish color as it's coming in rather than orange.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Good thought, but painted buntings remain a green color, much like the coloring of the female for the first 2 years of life. When they start to change into adult plumage they look more spotty & ratty rather than such dilute coloring, and the chest still remains a brilliant reddish color as it's coming in rather than orange.

This must be unusual for a passerine, most are effectively in adult plumage within a calendar year aren't they?

 

[i.like.birds]

This must be unusual for a passerine, most are effectively in adult plumage within a calendar year aren't they?

Apologies, I misspoke. To clarify, their adult plumage happens IN the second year, not that they are green for a full two years. As far as it being unusual, I am unsure. Though, given their bright colors, it's a quite useful preservation trait!

 

[D Halas]

Possibly an escaped cagebird? The colour in captive Painted Buntings often doesn't develop fully. Here's a similar-looking bird which appeared in southern Ontario a few years ago and was determined to most likely be an escaped cagebird:

Hamilton birders flock together to spot rare painted bunting

Sighting of a rare painted bunting mystifies, delights and unites Hamilton birdwatchers

www.thespec.com