Passerina
The genus
Passerina is a group of
birds in the
Cardinal family Cardinalidae. Although not directly related to
buntings in the family
Emberizidae, they are sometimes known as the
North American buntings.
The males show vivid colours in the breeding season; the plumage of females and immature birds is duller. These birds go through two moltss in a year; the males are generally less colourful in winter. They have short tails and short slim legs. They have smaller bills than other Cardinalidae; they mainly eat seeds in winter and insects in summer.
The full list of species is:
- Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
- Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
- Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor
- Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
- Rose-bellied Bunting, Passerina rositae
- Orange-breasted Bunting, Passerina leclancherii