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Reproduction | |
| Description
Author: Derek Palmer
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The Painted Bunting will nest in areas with low vegetation, 3-6 feet above the ground. If lower vegetation of this type is unavailable, they will nest in higher vegetation, 25-45 feet high. Cat-claw, blackberry, chaparral, or other low bushes and saplings are some of the vegetation types selected for nesting. The nest is a compact structure, composed of leaves, twigs, grass, bark strips, and is lined with fine grasses and horse-hair (Pearson, 1936). The nest is built by the female in as little as two days and has a deep cup woven and firmly attached to supporting vegetation. The eggs are creamy or bluish-white, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and lavender and may number from 4 to 5. The eggs are ovate or short ovate in shape and are laid shortly after dawn. Egg-laying lasts 1-7 minutes with the female suddenly raising her body to a high setting position, spreading her tail, erecting her feathers, and occasionally turning about. Incubation usually lasts 11 days and is done by the female (Lowther, 1999). |