A medium sparrow-relative with distinctive sexually dimorphic plumage. State bird of Colorado.

Also called: White-winged Blackbird (older name)

Native status: Native; declining 95%+ since 1966

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 14–18 cm (5.5–7 in); wingspan 25–28 cm
Weight30–47 g
LifespanWild typically 3 years; oldest documented 7
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyPasserellidae

§ Encyclopedia

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

Source: Wikipedia — Lark bunting Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Males breeding: jet-black with bold white wing patch. Males nonbreeding & females: streaky brown with white wing patches.

Similar species. Bobolink (males have buff nape). Dickcissel (yellow chest band). Female House Sparrow lacks wing patches.

Voice. Mix of clear whistles, trills, and warbling phrases during song-flight.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (especially grasshoppers) during breeding; seeds (sunflower, weed seeds) on wintering grounds.

Behavior. State bird of Colorado. Western Great Plains specialist. Males perform spectacular high "song-flight" displays — rising 5–10 m, fluttering down singing. Migrates in massive flocks of 1000s. Has declined 95%+ since 1966 — among the steepest population crashes of any North American songbird.

§ Range

Western Great Plains in summer; winters southwestern US, Mexico

§ Habitat

Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies

§ Threats

Prairie conversion to row crops, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the lark bunting is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support prairie conservation. Donate to grassland conservation groups.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2018