Apr 25

Bird of the day

Lark bunting

Calamospiza melanocorys

The lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) is a medium-sized American bunting native to central and western North America. It was designated the state bird of Colorado in 1931.

Lark buntings are small songbirds, with a short, thick, bluish bill. There is a large patch of white on the wings and they have a relatively short tail with white tips at the end of the feathers. Breeding males have an all black body with a large white patch on the upper part of the wing. Nonbreeding males and females look similar and are grayish brown with white stripes.

Measurements:

Length: 5.5–7.1 in (140–180 mm)

Weight: 1.3–1.5 oz (37–43 g)

Wingspan: 9.8–11.0 in (250–280 mm)

Aliases

Calamospiza melanocorys

Range

Range map of Lark bunting