Males have this distinctive blue appearing plumage only during the summer season from May through August; molting replaces it to a dull brown female like plumage before the southward fall migration. Widespread and common throughout Minnesota, including suburbs, it is often overlooked; males commonly sit on power lines, fence wires, tree tops and corn stalks, and sing persistently from May through July especially on hot sunny days. Nests are located in shrubbery at forest and woodland edges. With different viewing angles and light intensity they may appear black, light or dark blue. Color is likely perceived differently by animals. In buntings, the male’s plumage probably serves to attract a mate. In the case of the American Kestrel, which preys on voles (mice), it detects their presence because their fresh droppings and urine luminesce to the eyes of the kestrel. Some butterflies, moths, and other birds may also have this ability.

I choose this bird because it is somewhat an illusion. It, like Blue Jays and Bluebirds, actually lacks blue pigment in its plumage. Rather, their feather structures refract light of the wavelength we see as blue – hence, it is a pigment of our imagination! This effect is called iridescence.