Uncaged Beauty

Even though the Painted Bunting has been protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it remains a highly coveted songbird in the illegal cage bird trade. French explorers called this bird "nonpareil," meaning "without equal," a name that highlights the bird's stunning plumage, reminiscent of a rainbow with wings. John James Audubon documented the capture of thousands of these vibrant birds during the early and mid-1800s. They were shipped from Mexico, Central America, and the southern United States to cage bird enthusiasts in Europe, where they commanded some of the highest prices among birds. In the 1980s, while working at a bird rehabilitation center in New Jersey, I often saw U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents confiscate Painted Buntings from the illegal pet trade in New York City and bring them to us for care and return to the south. We are incredibly lucky to enjoy these wonderful songbirds in Texas during the summer. Each morning, the male's melodic song echoes through the woodland edges, reminding us of the ongoing need for conservation and protection. According to Native American folklore, the Painted Bunting was the last bird to receive colors from the Great Spirit and had to be given dabs of all the leftovers before the paint ran dry.