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We too, have a blue bird with a yellow bill. I saw a full-face view and the bill is a very brilliant yellow. My bird book of Eastern Birds, does not show any blue bird with a yellow bill. I would appreciate any help you can give.

Did not try to get a picture yet, but will try later.

ladyhm,

Please read the previous 4 or 5 responses above yours.  I have included a photo.   Joe Morlan supplied info that states the Indigo Bunting has a Yellowish Gape at certain times and/or age of the bird.  I believe this is why people see a Yellowish bill.  You have to click on the picture to enlarge it, and then click on the Expand button that appears in the lower right hand corner.

INDIGO BUNTING : Bill and gape

Males (adults in breeding season): upper mandible blackish, especially on culmen, lower mandible including the mandibular rami blue-gray, the gonys blackish. First-year males have yellowish gape into May, then it becomes dark gray. Females: upper mandible brown to blackish, the lower mandible pinkish horn color, the gape in spring yellowish until nesting when it changes to horn color. Males and females, all ages, nonbreeding season: bill paler, whitish to brownish or blue-gray, gape yellowish; the gape first appearing yellowish during molt in late summer.

It is a beautiful sight!

Sincerely,  Phil

Hi The bird  ( or birds, plural if it wasn't the same individual ) that was in my yard is the same as yours. Definitely an indigo bunting and definitely a yellow bill. One time it turned and I had to double check with binoculars, but every time I looked, it did have a definite yellow bill. ( I have to look up the word "gape" to see what that term means in the birding world.)

 I was lucky to have this pretty blue indigo bunting every morning for about six days, he/she ate only on the ground, so I made sure to keep food on the ground for it daily. After six days, we had some crows and ducks come around too often, so I think that chased him off, because I've never seen him/her again.

I did ask at the bird food store and the owner there has a ton of feeders up in her yard and is near a woods. She said that she has one tree just FILLED with these Indigo buntings this spring. I would love to see a tree full... It must be a beautiful sight.