Newsletter / Blog
2011-11-28 Colorado State Bird – Lark Bunting - Calamospiza melanocorys
The Lark
Bunting - Calamospiza melanocorys -
is a medium-sized sparrow and is the state bird of Colorado. Flocks of these birds migrate to
southern Texas and Mexico.
Description
The adult
breeding male has mostly black plumage, with striking white patch on the wing. Non-breeding
males have black elements of plumage replaced by streaked gray-brown on
upperparts. The underparts are whitish with bold dark streaks. Adult females
are similar to the s non-breeding male, but plumage is paler overall and white
on wing is restricted to less distinct patch formed by white edges to greater
covert feathers. Note also the bold dark line bordering the pale throat. Young
birds are similar to adult females, but with less distinct markings.
Call
The song consists
of a mix of whistles and trills. The call is a soft hoo.
Food
They forage on
the ground, mainly eating insects in summer and seeds in winter; they sometimes
take short flights in pursuit of insects. Outside of the nesting season, they
often feed in flocks. Primarily feeds on insects during the summer
months. Seeds and waste grain become the primary food item during the
winter months.
Breeding
Their breeding
habitat is the prairie regions in central Canada
and the mid-western United
States. The male bird performs a spectacular
courtship flight, during which he warbles and trills a distinctive mating song.
The nest is an open cup on the ground in a grassy area. The birds typically
nest in dispersed colonies.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
Populations are
reduced from historical levels. Still common in areas, but habitat loss
is behind declines in recent decades.
Birdwatching
Can be found in a
wide variety of open habitats during migration and in winter.
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