Lazuli’s Bunting – Neskonlith Lake, BC
This beautiful little Lazuli’s Bunting was south of Neskonlith Lake in British Columbia’s Thompson region. This is an area of dry grasslands, open woodlands, and productive bird habitat. The male’s brilliant blue head and back, combined with its warm cinnamon breast, made it one of the most colorful songbirds in the region. Lazuli Buntings are found along shrubby edges and riparian habitats throughout the Thompson-Okanagan. This is where their cheerful songs often carry across the landscape. A cool fact about this species is that its vivid blue feathers contain no blue pigment at all. The color is the result of microscopic feather structures that scatter light which produces the bird’s gemstone-like appearance.
