How to attract Painted Buntings to East Texas Yard? 8a

I live near Tyler Texas in 8a, and don't think I can survive another year without seeing a Painted Bunting. Is there a particular time of the spring summer I can watch for them, and is there any special seed or food that they really like to entice them? Thanks!

Hi dm, No promise you'll get them. They like a waste free seed mix (no hulls) of smaller seeds. They like cover close to the feeder so they can dive in if need be.

Here is what Cornell has to say on their habitat.

Open brushlands, thickets, and scattered woodlands. Along Atlantic coast, also in hedges and yards.

I just came across this photo from the Duncraft sight. Never seen so many males in one shot.

http://www.duncraft.com/Duncraft-Metal-Haven-P234C0.aspx

I live south of palestine(grapeland) and we saw a painted bunting at our feeder today. we started using a songbird mix and we have seen so many different kinds of birds the last couple of weeks. we have had indigo buntings for about a week now...and our yard is full of the standard cardinals, blue birds, etc. they seem to really love this seed mixture.

Sounds like a beautiful scene lizzie.

yes, it is! I need to learn how to use the camera hubby bought me for christmas! sometimes the tree right behind my main feeders looks like an apple tree there are so many male cardinals in it. they wait patiently every day for me to come out and fill the feeders,lol. a few minutes after filling they all converge...I also have a couple of red headed woodpeckers that visit several times a day. the painted bunting today was just the icing on the cake!

Lizzie I finally saw my first painted bunting today in Frankston!! (just north of Palestine) I nearly fainted with happiness!

that is great! what small things make us happy,lol!