Discover the Official State Bird of Colorado

The official state bird of Colorado is the Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys).

The Colorado legislature designated the lark bunting as the state bird on April 29, 1931. This native species has a confusing common name; it is neither a lark nor a bunting, but rather a member of the American sparrow family (Passerellidae). Read on to learn more about it!

What Do Lark Buntings Look Like?

Lark buntings are small songbirds, though they are rather large for sparrows. They grow to a length of 5.5 – 7.1 in (14 – 18 cm) with a wingspan of 9.8 – 11.0 in (25 – 28 cm) and weigh 1.3 – 1.5 oz (35.3 – 41.3 g). Their most distinguishing features are the thick, bluish bill, and the male’s unmistakeable breeding plumage. Unusual amongst sparrows, males molt for the breeding season, transforming into striking black birds with white wing patches. During the non-breeding season, however, males and females look similar to each other, and to many other sparrows, with brown, gray, and white streaked plumage. Males can still be distinguished from females by their black chins and larger white wing patches, however.

What Do Lark Buntings Sound Like?

Lark buntings sing in a canary-like mix of whistles and trills. Listen to one in the video above!

What Do Lark Buntings Eat?

Like other sparrows, lark buntings eat a variety of seeds as well as insects and other small invertebrates. Their diet during the breeding season consists of much more of the latter, which is also what is fed to the young. They also occasionally eat leaves and cactus fruits.

Where Do Lark Buntings Live?

Lark buntings are migratory birds. They spend their winters in areas of the South Central and Southwest United States and northern Mexico and breed in the high plains of central North America. They can be found in grasslands, prairies, sagebrush, and other shrublands. While they have lost much of their natural habitat to agricultural development, they have adapted somewhat to agricultural fields as their habitat in some areas.

What Do Lark Bunting Nests and Eggs Look Like?

Lark buntings build their nests on the ground, usually adjacent to a grass clump, shrub, or cactus that can provide cover and shade. While males select their breeding territory, females choose the specific nest site. They build a loose cup nest together, then the female lays between 2 -5 small light blue eggs, which she incubates for 10 – 12 days. Nestlings develop quickly, fledging in as little as 7 – 9 days. Parents will continue to look after their young even after they fledge, however.

Where and When Can You See Lark Buntings in Colorado?

Lark buntings arrive in Colorado in April for the breeding season and stay until September. They can be found in the state’s eastern plains region. Males arrive first to claim territories, followed by females shortly thereafter. Watch for the males’ spectacular song flights early in the season, which they perform to both establish their territories and attract mates.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Cindy Creighton/Shutterstock.com