A very rare visitor to New Jersey, May 1958 was the first occurrence of a painted bunting according to William Boyle Jr’s The Birds of New Jersey. Since then, they’ve increased in frequency, with 27 individuals recorded from 1993 to 2009, and more since then.
Called “siete colores” (seven colors) in Mexico and “nonpareil” (without equal) in Louisiana, painted buntings are sometimes considered the most beautiful bird in North America. They’re rare in New Jersey, especially now when they’re usually wintering from South Florida to parts of Central America.
This December, a male painted bunting – the more strikingly colored of the two – was spotted at a bird feeder at the back of a home facing The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery in downtown Jersey City.
Naturally, a rarity like this has attracted birders from throughout the region who gawk through binoculars and long lenses towards the backs of people’s homes in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the beautiful visitor.
This striking bird brought some stunning color to an otherwise drab scene.
A few weeks earlier, a female Painted Bunting – beautiful, but not quite as much as the males, was also spotted in Liberty State Park.
