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Publication Date

1-1-2004

Abstract

Lazuli (Passerina amoena) and Indigo (P. cyanea) buntings readily hybridize where they co-occur; however, Texas has not been considered to be within the zone of overlap for these species. Despite a few historic reports of breeding in Texas, the Lazuli Bunting is currently considered a rare migrant through much of the state; whereas, the Indigo Bunting is a common to to abundant breeder in all but the western third of the state. During May 2003, we documented a male Lazuli Bunting breeding with a female Indigo Bunting on Fort Hood (Bell County), Texas. Although eventually depredated, their nesting attempt did produce nestlings. Confirmation of a lazuli breeding with an indigo, as well as previous observations of territorial male lazulis and lazuli x indigo hybrids on Fort Hood during the breeding season, suggest that lazulis have immigrated into indigo populations in central Texas, thus expanding the zone within which the species co-occur during the breeding season and hybridize.

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