Calamospiza melanocorys
The Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) is a striking and distinctive New World sparrow, celebrated as the state bird of Colorado and an icon of North America's prairies. Males in breeding plumage are entirely glossy black, accented by a bold, clean white patch on the secondary coverts of each wing, creating an unmistakable field mark; they measure about 14-18 cm (5.5-7.1 in) in length with a wingspan of 25-30 cm (9.8-11.8 in) and weigh 29-45 g (1.0-1.6 oz). Females and non-breeding males ...
Primarily inhabits shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies, sagebrush steppe, and agricultural fields (especially fallow or recently planted). Typically found in open, arid to semi-arid grasslands at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily consumes seeds from various grasses and forbs, supplemented heavily with insects (especially grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars) during the breeding season. Forages mainly by gleaning from the ground or vegetation.
Lark Buntings are diurnal, spending most of their active hours foraging on the ground or singing from prominent perches. Males exhibit a spectacular courtship display, launching into a soaring flight song, ascending steeply while delivering a complex, melodious, and variable song, then descending...
The Lark Bunting has a relatively constrained but seasonally shifting geographic distribution across central North America. Its primary breeding range extends across the Great Plains, from the Canadian Prairies (southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) south through Montana, North and South ...
Least Concern
- The Lark Bunting is the state bird of Colorado, a testament to its strong association with the Great Plains ecosystems. - Male Lark Buntings undergo a dramatic plumage change; the brilliant black breeding plumage fades to a streaky brown and buff by late summer and fall, resembling the female. ...