Official Adopted: April 29, 1931 The lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) was designated as the state bird of Colorado in 1931. It was chosen because of its acrobatic courtship dance, melodic song, and being native to Colorado.
Contents
- 1 When did the lark bunting become the state bird of Colorado?
- 2 What does the lark bunting symbolize?
- 3 Is the lark bunting native to Colorado?
- 4 Is the lark bunting a sparrow?
- 5 Where do lark buntings live in Colorado?
- 6 Why is Colorado’s state bird the lark bunting?
- 7 What is the state bird of Florida?
- 8 What do lark buntings look like?
- 9 What is the state bird of North Dakota?
When did the lark bunting become the state bird of Colorado?
Colorado adopted the Lark Bunting as its state bird on April 29, 1931. The small, black-and-white-feathered bird arrives in Colorado in April. It spends the summer on the plains and at elevations of up to 8,000 feet before flying south in September.
What does the lark bunting symbolize?
The lark bunting epitomized the cheerful, positive, optimistic spirit of the state of Colorado and its citizens. In celebration of the Year of the Bird, we will highlight some of the birds and their behaviors that you can observe at certain times throughout the year.
Is the lark bunting native to Colorado?
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.
Is the lark bunting a sparrow?
This “bunting” is actually a member of the sparrow family, more closely related to Chestnut-collared Longspur than to Painted Bunting. A male Lark Bunting in breeding plumage is a striking sight, with its jet black body and contrasting large white wing patches.
Where do lark buntings live in Colorado?
Lark buntings make their home in the prairie and grassland regions of central and western North America. In summer, they live in meadows and sagebrush-covered areas. Lark buntings build their nests on the ground in grassy areas and under shrubs.
Why is Colorado’s state bird the lark bunting?
The lark bunting was designated the state bird of Colorado in 1931. The answer I found was that the lark bunting was chosen because their plumage is distinct and it was thought their nature fit in with the spirit of Colorado.
What is the state bird of Florida?
The oldest recorded Lark Bunting was a male, and was at least 4 years, 10 months old when he was found in Arizona, the same state where he had been banded.
What do lark buntings look like?
Breeding males are an unmistakable black with white wing patches. Nonbreeding males, as well as females and immatures, are brownish above, pale with brown streaking below, with extensive white in the upperwing coverts and small white tips to the inner tail feathers. The bill is a distinctive pale blue-gray.
What is the state bird of North Dakota?
Bird: Western Meadowlark Sturnella Neglecta, approximately the size of a robin, the meadowlark sports a yellow breast with a black bib over its mottled brown body.
