I attract mine with nyger thistle seed. Mine usually arrive more towards late March early May. I live in Illinois, & have had years when I get up to 8 of them at once at the feeders. Good luck.

Thanks. Maybe I'll have some luck. I always keep thistle for the goldfinches.

FYI- I checked eBird.org and there haven't been any documented reports of Indigo Buntings in TN yet this year. Chances are your friend mis-IDd her bird. However, there have been occasional reports of INBU in February over the years (scattered around the state) so it's not unheard of (but unlikely). I just don't know how anyone could mis-ID an Indigo Bunting (male, anyway) at a feeder....Eastern Bluebirds are in their breeding colors now and I suppose from behind they could be mistaken for one.......?????

This post was edited by TMFF on Fri, Mar 8, 13 at 9:55

She says there eating off her thistle feeder but every time I'm out there I never see them but I know she has Eastern Bluebirds. I don't think they would eat off the thistle sack though. I just hope i get them here this spring.

Bluebirds do eat thistle here in Texas. I used to see them on the nyger sock right along with the finches before we moved into 'town' :-)

Rebeccah, I agree with TMFF; your friend is likely mistaken. Until recently, I lived about 70 miles west of Birmingham, AL. I watched assiduously for the return of the indigos each year. The very earliest date I ever had them was April 2. They averaged around April 9. This is approx. 85 miles south of the TN state line.

The best way I found to feed indigos was to pour a big pile of corn chops (scratch feed) on the ground, away from your tube feeders. (but not too far away) One year, I had about 25. Regular bird seed works as well; that's what I've seen used at Dauphin Island to attract indigos, painteds, and blue grosbeaks.

Good luck.

I just read a message from Alabama Birds that indicates indigo buntings are now being seen on the Gulf coast.

Just saw my first ever Indigo Bunting in my yard 2 days ago in S. Louisiana just north of New Orleans.

Just read a report on TN-bird of a singing indigo in Joelton, TN in Davidson County. That's the first report I've read from TN-bird. Haven't seen one myself.

I hope I get some this year.

I just saw a single male indigo in one of my forsythias. It flew off without feeding. I'm 90 mi. SW of Nashville.

There was a IB at our feeder today in Eastern North Carolina. I was thrilled to see it!

I am thrilled! I haven't had a bird feeder in years, but my mother was a birder and we always had feeders growing up. In all those years, we never saw any of the buntings.

So this year I finally decide to set out a feeder after seeing my first ever indigo bunting sitting in the grass in my yard a few weeks ago. Now, only a week later, I have up to 11! male indigos in my yard at once on a daily basis. At one point last weekend, they were joined by over 100! goldfinches, and I finally hit the birding jackpot---a male/female pair of painted buntings has been coming every day! Ever since seeing the picture of a painted in the Peterson book, it was my birding holy grail to see one. A few days ago I also saw my first Scarlet Tanager. I was absolutely shocked at how insanely bright orange red this bird was. Almost like a flying traffic cone, and it was set off beautifully by the black wings. I sure hope he comes back. It seems like every day I get a new species. Purple finch, cardinal, blue jay, mourning dove, yellow bellied sapsucker, blue grosbeak. My grandmother, who is also an avid birder for decades tells me the next one I should hope for is a Baltimore Oriole. At this rate, it seems quite likely.

Lucky you! What state are you in?

South Louisiana, just north of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.

We have had them here in Perry County TN. for about a week now... I have had several at my feeders daily. Also had a Rose Breasted Grosbeak as well.. The indigo buntings feed right along side the Goldfinches...

Carolyn

I just saw an indigo bunting at my bird feeder this morning. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, and it is my first sighting ever! I was so excited. I would love to know how others attract them.

I just woke up a few minutes ago from a bad migraine and I looked outside like usual not thinking much of it and the set a beautiful male Indigo Bunting! I was so shocked, I had to look again! I have been trying to get these birds for years! So that's my miracle for the day.

Well I haven't seen him since. I hope he comes back.