Lark Bunting

Flocks of these prairie songbirds used to be more abundant. I’ve heard estimates that their numbers have been reduced by as much as 90%. They are easy to find this time of year in Eastern Colorado. The male lark bunting is the only sparrow that changes from stark black and white feathers during their breeding season, to a grayish brown with small streaks of black and white in the winter. The female has the same beak as the male but you might think you are looking at a common tree sparrow at first glance. The most I saw at one time was 5-6, but I probably saw 75 throughout the late afternoon.

The Lark Bunting was designated as the state bird of Colorado in 1931.