Coastal Carolina

Guiraca caerulea HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 6.25 inches * Large, conical bill * Broad, brown wing bars * Occasionally wags tail Adult male: * Deep blue plumage (in poor light appears black) * Black around base of bill * Blackish wings and tail Adult female: * Dark brown upperparts * Warm brown underparts with faint dark streaks * Blackish wings and tail * Immature plumages similar to adult female Similar species: The Blue Grosbeak is very similar to the Indigo Bunting but is larger with brown wing bars.

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Passerina cyanea HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 4.5 inches * Small, conical bill Adult male alternate: * Deep blue plumage (in poor light appears black) * Blackish wings and tail with blue edges * Basic-plumaged male (Fall and Winter) similar to adult female but often has has some blue feathers Adult female: * Dark brown upperparts * Warm brown underparts with faint dark streaks * Indistinct wing bars * Immature plumages similar to adult female-immature male can have blue patches Similar species: The Blue Grosbeak is very similar to the Indigo Bunting but is larger with brown wing bars. Female Indigo Buntings are similar to other female buntings. Female Lazuli Bunting has white wing bars. Female Varied Bunting very similar but has more curved culmen and lacks steaking below. Female Painted Bunting greener. Sparrows have more patterned faces and streaked backs.

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Cardinalis cardinalis HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 7.75 inches * Large, conical bill * Crest * Long tail Adult male: * Bright red plumage, dullest on back and wings * Black around base of bill * Red bill Adult female: * Reddish crest, wings and tail * Brownish-gray upperparts * Buffy underparts * Red bill * Juvenile like adult female but has dark bill and crest Similar species: The male Northern Cardinal is unmistakeable. Females and juveniles are similar to Pyrrhuloxia but Pyrrhuloxia has a yellow bill with a curved culmen and is grayer, less brown.

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Passerina ciris HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 4.5 inches * Small, conical bill Adult male: * Blue head * Red underparts, rump and eye ring * Green back * Dark red nape * Blackish wings and tail Adult female: * Unmarked green upperparts * Greenish-yellow underparts Similar species: The male Painted Bunting is easy to identify. Females are greener than other female buntings.

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HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 4.5 inches * Small, conical bill Adult male: * Blue head * Red underparts, rump and eye ring * Green back * Dark red nape * Blackish wings and tail Adult female: * Unmarked green upperparts * Greenish-yellow underparts Similar species: The male Painted Bunting is easy to identify. Females are greener than other female buntings.

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