OHIO — A little blue bird touched down in the Buckeye State this month, and no, we’re not talking about blue jays.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife says the lazuli bunting was spotted in Meigs County earlier this month, and officials said it’s possibly the first documented report of the species landing in Ohio
"This vibrant bird is native to the western U.S., making its appearance in Meigs County a rare and exciting event," ODNR wrote in a Facebook post.
Lazuli buntings are very small birds, similar to finches, that are named after the gemstone lapis lazuli. Both male and females have the brilliant blue hue, but males have a pumpkin-colored chest whereas females have a tan-colored chest. The males are mostly blue from head to tail, and females have touches of blue on their tail and wings.
It's not a rare bird to the western side of the U.S. They are common there and their population has been increasing over recent years, according to the National Audubon Society. However, on the eastern side, there have been very few sightings from 2020-2025.
"Vagrant birds like this sometimes stray from their typical range due to weather patterns, disorientation during migration, or changes in habitat," ODNR said. "Such sightings remind us of the incredible journeys birds undertake and the importance of conserving habitats everywhere."