One of the most strikingly beautiful passerines (the perching birds) in Northeast Washington is the Lazuli Bunting. Named after the beautiful gemstone lapis lazuli, the bright blue songbird graces our shrub patches each spring and summer. Pronounced "LAZZ-you-lee", this bird appears to be part sparrow, part finch, part cardinal. Ornithologists have categorized it in various ways over the years. The American Ornithological Society currently has it in the Cardinalidae (Cardinal) family, along with our local Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak.
The Lazuli Bunting has a beak suited for feeding on insects, caterpillars, and spiders, as well as the berries and seeds of serviceberry and chokecherry - which we have plenty of!
Listen to the Lazuli Bunting's song by following this link; Lazuli Bunting singing
Lapis Lazuli, uncut and un-polished
Look for this gem of a bird on brushy hillsides near water (especially streams). The males can often be seen perched on the top most branches and apparently like showing off their colors. The bulk of our Lazuli Buntings winter on the pacific coast of Mexico. Their annual migration brings them across the desert Southwest of the U.S.and the mountainous sagebrush of the Great Basin.
Keep a sharp eye and ear out for this amazingly beautiful bird. It will lift your day!
Good Birding,
- Hawkeye
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