Lark Bunting
Calamospiza melanocorys
The Lark Bunting is the only member of its genus and is the official state bird of Colorado.
- Scientific name
- Calamospiza melanocorys
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Passerellidae › Calamospiza
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies, sagebrush flats, and desert scrub.
- Diet
- Seeds of grasses and forbs, supplemented by insects like grasshoppers and beetles during the breeding season.
- Range
- Great Plains of North America, Southern United States, Central Mexico
- Size
- 14-18 cm in length; wingspan of approximately 25-28 cm.
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years in the wild.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of native prairie to agriculture, overgrazing, and pesticide use reducing insect prey.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds are ground-nesters; watch your step in tall grass during spring to avoid disturbing nests. Enjoy their aerial displays from a distance with binoculars.
The lark bunting ( Calamospiza melanocorys ) is a medium-sized American sparrow native to central and western North America. It is also the state bird of Colorado.
Photo: Jonathan Eisen, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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