image source: ibc.lynxeds.com
Habitat: endemic to a tiny strip of hills along the Pacific slope of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas 
Status: Near Threatened
I. Love. This. Bird. 
 
First off, it’s absolutely GORGEOUS! Those colors are simply amazing. Almost unnatural…
Superficial…?
Like superficially flavored even?! Like a snow cone?! Come on, honestly how much does this beautiful little bird remind you of a delicious snow cone? Yummmm!
image source: slashfood.com
Sadly, the Rose-bellied Bunting, or Rosita’s Bunting (Passerina rositae) is listed as ‘near threatened’ due to habitat loss. It’s already very restricted to a small range, so any human encroachment whatsoever would surely have an effect. I hope we can protect this wonderful bird’s habitat before it melts away forever…