I think you have a female Painted Bunting.

-O-

Lucky you!!!

Thanks, I seen some pictures of the female painted bunting...and thats what i thought. I was reading that they migrate south. Its cold here in new jersey.

I just did a quick google and found this Dec 2007 NJ record, so it's possible. And not to be snarky, really, but your photos are tough (the bill is particularly daunting); but I didn't see anything 'wrong' for my somewhat tentative ID. You have the bird in your yard, you have binoculars, and there aren't that many candidates.

-O- (who in all honesty and seriousness is not being snarky, just trying to help you get the right bird)

Here is a link that might be useful: female painted bunting in NJ

Orrin,
I am curious. I have a dear friend who lives in Central Florida, and she has a little group of Painted Buntings wintering at her house each year. I know that the juvenile males are completely green like the females. How do you positively ID the bird pictured here as a female? I believe that the "Painted Bunting people" refer to all of the green ones as "Greenies" since it is so difficult to be sure of whether they are actually females or juvenile males. Is that right? I'd love to know how to tell the difference. Thanks! ~~Angie

That's partly why I wrote "I think" it's a female Painted Bunting; I was more confident with the species ID than the age/sex diagnosis, perhaps I should have been more specific in my wording.

-O-

Thanks a bunch Orrin. I wanted to know if there might be a way to tell them apart that I did not yet know of. It's amazing to see one that far north at this time of year, isn't it? I wonder how often that actually happens and also why the little thing did not go South.
Lucky you indeed JZOO!!! Wowza. I think you should report that sighting to PBOT. Here is their website:
http://www.paintedbuntings.org/

Wow, zone 6 and a painted bunting!!! Lucky, lucky you!! Maybe you'll get super lucky and see a male also! I think I'd pass out if I saw a male painted bunting at my feeder! (I'm in Pennsylvania!)