Blue Grosbeak vs Indigo Bunting: What Are The Differences?

North America is home to many bluebirds, but few are as similar as the blue jay and the indigo bunting. These small birds are similar in distribution, are most common in the eastern half of the United States, and belong to the same family, Cardinal Finch.

Additionally, both migrate south during winter and fall and share wintering grounds in Central America. So, what’s the difference between a blue jay and a blue bunting?

The blue waxbill is much larger, 14 to 19 centimeters (5.5 to 7.5 inches) long, with a wingspan of 26 to 29 centimeters (10 to 11 inches). They weigh approximately 26 to 31.5 grams. The indigo bunting is about 13 cm long and weighs about 15 grams – almost half its size. While both males are blue, the blue jay’s wing bars are a rusty orange, while the blue bunting’s wings are all blue with black tips.

Things get a little more complicated when juveniles, females, and molting males are compared.

Read on to learn more tips and tricks for identifying these beautiful birds!

blue wax mouth

indigo bunting

Which is bigger, the Blue Waxbill or the Indigo Bunting?

These birds are similar in size, but you can still often tell them apart by comparing their sizes.

blue wax nozzle measurement

The Blue Waxbill is 14 to 19 cm (5.5 to 7.5 in) long and has a 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11 in) wingspan. They weigh approximately 26 to 31.5 grams (0.9 to 1.1 oz)

Indigo Bunting Sizes

The indigo bunting is 11.5 to 15 cm (4.5 to 5.9 in) long and has a wingspan of 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in). They weigh approximately 12 to 14.5 grams (0.51 oz).

Blue jays are larger and heavier. Some may be twice the size and weight of an indigo bunting, which is evident when the birds are side by side. The Blue Waxbill also appeared to be more muscular, with a thicker and larger body and head.

This is true for both males and females—female blue jays are larger and sturdier than female blue buntings.

Perching Blue Waxbill

other differences

Besides body size, there are many other differences between blue jays and indigo buntings.

feathers and coloring

male

Male blue buntings and blue jays are predominantly blue, but blue buntings are lighter and more evenly colored overall.

The blue jay is dark blue with rusty orange-brown wing bars and tips that the indigo bunting does not. The wings of the Indigo Bunting are blue with black tips. Blue jays also have black striped tails, which blue buntings do not have.

Another important consideration is that male blue buntings molt and begin to resemble females in the fall, while male blue jays remain blue year-round.

female

Females are more difficult to distinguish. Female indigo buntings are almost all brown, highly uniform in color, with no pattern other than a lighter breast and slightly darker wings.

Female blue jays have darker brown wings and bolder patterns. Additionally, they have a small blue spot on the corner of their wings, and blue marks on their face and chest.

female blue waxbill

female blue bunting

bill

While the indigo bunting has a relatively small beak, the waxbill has a large, triangular beak that is quite distinctive. Both males and females have this large, distinctive beak, which makes it easy to distinguish them from indigo buntings when they are in the same vicinity.

Distribution and scope

The two species have relatively similar distributions in North America and are most abundant in the eastern half of the country.

However, indigo bunting extends as far north as southeastern Canada, as far west as Manitoba, and as far north as central Quebec.

In contrast, the blue waxbill doesn’t extend as far as the Atlantic coast, and is largely absent from Canada. The northernmost population is located in the Dakotas.

Both birds extend to the southwest, but the blue bunting is a rare visitor to this part of the United States.

Habitat

Both species live in overgrown and underbrush fields, generally avoiding denser woodlands. Their habitats are actually very similar, but the blue waxbill prefers open, flat land to the hilly or semi-mountain blue bunting.

Close up of an indigo bunting perched on a branch

diet

The two birds have a similar diet consisting of insects, invertebrates and plant foods such as berries and seeds.

migrant

Both birds are migratory birds, flying from North America to most of Central America and the Greater Antilles. However, blue buntings may have had a much longer migration, stretching from Canada to Panama.

song

Both species are capable of singing melodic songs. The song of the male blue sparrow is bright and lively, consisting of sharp, clear, high-pitched notes. The song is short, lasting around 2 seconds.

Male blue jays also have a high-pitched song, but it is longer in duration (3 seconds or more) and more melodious. Males of both species sing from tree branches, utility poles, buildings, and other high places.

Blue jays are more active from July onwards, while blue buntings become active around mid to late May.

Molting male Blue Waxbill taking a bath

Behavior

Both species become territorial during the breeding season. However, blue jays are likely to be more sociable than indigo buntings and often gather in flocks to feed – you’re more likely to see them in flocks.

Blue buntings are also sociable outside of the breeding season, but to a lesser extent. Both species migrate in flocks.

Blue bunting male molts into winter plumage

Juvenile Blue Waxbill and Juvenile Blue Bunting

Juveniles of both species are predominantly brown and look more like females. In the case of blue buntings and blue jays, the male molts into adult plumage and slowly turns blue.

However, when male bluebills acquire adult plumage, they keep them for life. In contrast, indigo bunting males lose their blue plumage in autumn and winter, making them difficult to distinguish from females.

juvenile blue wax mouth

Indigo Bunting Chicks

Female Blue Waxbill and Female Blue Bunting

Only the males of each species are blue. Females are more brown, more cinnamon.

Female indigo buntings are almost all brown, with a lighter breast and darker wings. Female blue jays have bolder patterns on their darker wings and a more stocky body.

She also has traces of blue on her upper wings, breast, and head, whereas the female blue bunting does not have any blue.