bunting1

noun

• 1an Old World seed-eating songbird related to the finches, typically with brown streaked plumage and a boldly marked head.

  • Family Emberizidae, subfamily Emberizinae (the bunting family and subfamily): several genera, in particular Emberiza, and numerous species

• 2a small New World songbird of the cardinal subfamily, the male of which is brightly colored.

  • Family Emberizidae, subfamily Cardinalinae: genera Passerina and Cyanocompsa, and several species, in particular the deep blue indigo bunting (P. cyanea) and the painted bunting (P. ciris). The painted bunting, with its violet head, red body, and green back, is the only such multicolored songbird in North America