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.
Region
Great Plains of North America
Typical Environment
Breeds across the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies of the central Great Plains, from the Dakotas and Montana south through Colorado, New Mexico, and the Texas Panhandle. In winter it moves to the southern Great Plains and northern Mexico, frequenting open grasslands, desert grasslands, and weedy fields. It favors wide, open areas with sparse shrubs or fence lines for perches. It also occurs in sagebrush flats and lightly grazed pastures, and may use agricultural edges during migration and winter.
Altitude Range
300–2200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The lark bunting is the state bird of Colorado and is notable for the male’s striking black breeding plumage with a bold white wing patch. Outside the breeding season, males molt into a streaky brown plumage similar to females, providing excellent camouflage. Males perform aerial song flights and conspicuous displays during courtship on the open prairie.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding, low glides over open grassland
Social Behavior
Forms loose colonies or neighborhoods on breeding territories, with males displaying from perches and in flight. Nests are built on or near the ground, often tucked against grass clumps or low shrubs. Outside the breeding season, it gathers in flocks that can number in the hundreds, moving nomadically in response to food availability.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The male’s song is a rich, bubbly warble delivered from a perch or during an aerial display flight. Calls include sharp chips and soft twitters used to maintain contact within flocks.
Plumage
Breeding males are velvety black with a large, crisp white wing patch; nonbreeding males and females are brown and heavily streaked with pale edging and reduced white wing bars. Feathers are smooth and sleek, aiding swift flight over open country.
Diet
In summer it consumes a wide variety of insects, especially grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, providing crucial protein for nestlings. In fall and winter it shifts to seeds of grasses and forbs, also taking waste grain when available. It forages primarily on the ground, gleaning from low vegetation and bare patches.
Preferred Environment
Open prairies, desert grasslands, and weedy fields with scattered low shrubs or fence lines for perching. Often feeds along field margins, road edges, and lightly grazed pastures.
