“Blue canaries”; vocal, edge-dwelling and active. Common in summer in the East and Southwest in brushy edges and fields. Small, short-tailed, sturdy; stout conical bill; males are bright blue, females brown. Eats insects, seeds and berries. Concealed nest site close to the ground. Solitary in breeding season but may flock in migration. Lifespan up to 8 years. Population ~ 28 million and declining.