Home › Collier Citizen › Citizen News
Painted buntings return to Sanctuary
The painted buntings have returned to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The species is one of the most-loved songbirds in North America.
More Citizen News
Tell us about it
- What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
- Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
- Upload photos & videos
- More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy [?]
The Swamp is alive with the sound of music, following the return of painted buntings to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary from their summer breeding grounds.
Officials say the arrival of these brightly colored blue, green and red birds, along with the Sanctuary’s rare Ghost Orchid, is providing visitors to Corkscrew with two very different, but equally spectacular, viewing opportunities.
“The first time you see a male painted bunting you’re almost startled by just how bright the colors are,” says Timothy Grand, Audubon communications director. “When you see the ghost orchid, floating way up there in the sky, it’s a little more cerebral. But seeing either one, and especially both on the same day, is definitely a ‘Whoa! That was cool,’ experience.”
An adult male painted bunting (Passerina ciris) is arguably the most distinctive songbird in North America, with the combination of a deep blue head, red underparts, a green back and a red rump. While not as brightly colored as males, female painted buntings are also distinctive. The female has an overall greenish plumage, which is more darkly colored above than below.
The number of painted buntings has shown a significant decline across its entire range during the past 35 years. Officials say the exact causes for painted buntings’ decline are not known, but they are believed to include habitat loss particularly due to coastal development in its breeding range, cowbird parasitism and trapping for the pet trade on its wintering grounds.
The Sanctuary is home to the largest virgin cypress swamp remaining in North America, and is located just northeast of Naples, 15 miles from I-75, on Immokalee Road. Hours are 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. through Sept. 30, with the last guests admitted by 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults, $6 for full-time college students with photo ID, $4 for students ages 6-18 and free for children under 6.
Comments
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. Break our rules, and we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.
Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)