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Lark Bunting

Calamospiza melanocorysOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Breeding Location:

Prairies, shortgrass



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Loose colonies, Some polygynous



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

Pale blue or green blue, spotted with red brown



Number of Eggs:

3 - 7



Incubation Days:

11 - 12



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grass, roots and other plant material., Lined with hair and plant down.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Lark Bunting: Large sparrow, nearly black with large white wing patches, short, white-edged tail, and heavy, blue-gray bill. Forages in groung, low vegetation. Strong flight, alternates shallow wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. It is the state bird of Colorado.

Range and Habitat

Lark Bunting: Breeds on prairies of south-central Canada and central U.S. Spends winters in the southwest and Mexico. Found in shortgrass prairies, sagebrush flats, and open areas in the southeastern lowlands.

Breeding and Nesting

Lark Bunting: Three to seven pale blue or green eggs spotted with red brown are laid in a loose cup nest made of grass, roots, and other plant material, lined with hair and plant down, and built on the ground, usually sheltered by grass or a small bush. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Lark Bunting: Feeds on insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, and ants, seeds, and waste grain. Walks or hops along the ground when foraging, often in flocks.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Lark Bunting: Song is rich and warbling melody of full whistles and trills. Call is "hoo-ee."

Similar Species

Lark Bunting: Other sparrows lack the white wing patches. Bobolink has a dull white nape, white rump, and white back patches.

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Family Buntings, Finches, Sparrows (Emberizidae)_blue
Species Calamospiza melanocorys
Length7 Inches
Wingspan11 Inches

Lark Bunting

Lark Bunting: Large sparrow, nearly black with large white wing patches, short, white-edged tail, and heavy, blue-gray bill. Forages in groung, low vegetation. Strong flight, alternates shallow wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides. It is the state bird of Colorado.

● Song: "hoo-ee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Lark Bunting: Feeds on insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, and ants, seeds, and waste grain. Walks or hops along the ground when foraging, often in flocks.

● Breeding & nesting: Lark Bunting: Three to seven pale blue or green eggs spotted with red brown are laid in a loose cup nest made of grass, roots, and other plant material, lined with hair and plant down, and built on the ground, usually sheltered by grass or a small bush. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Lark Bunting: Other sparrows lack the white wing patches. Bobolink has a dull white nape, white rump, and white back patches.

Flight Pattern

Alternates several shallow wing beats with wings pulled to sides.
Lark Bunting Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Lark Bunting: Breeds on prairies of south-central Canada and central U.S. Spends winters in the southwest and Mexico. Found in shortgrass prairies, sagebrush flats, and open areas in the southeastern lowlands.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies, Some polygynous
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.1 Ounces