The name of the Colorado state bird is the Lark Bunting. Lark Bunting is the answer that would fill in the blank “___ bunting” in a crossword puzzle clue asking for the name of the Colorado state bird. Lark Buntings are a species of bird native to the grasslands and prairies of western North America. They get their name from their melodious song, which sounds similar to a lark. Lark Buntings are the state bird of Colorado, being made the official state symbol in 1931. Their brown and white plumage resembles the colors found on the Lark Bunting was likely chosen due to its prevalence across the Colorado prairies and connection to the state’s frontier history and identity. Knowing that the Lark Bunting is the Colorado state bird is useful trivia for residents and visitors, and can help solve related crossword clues.
More About the Lark Bunting
The Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) is a medium-sized songbird native to the prairies and grasslands of western North America. Their breeding range centers on the Great Plains, extending from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and as far west as Oregon and California. Lark Buntings migrate in the winter down to Mexico and the southwestern United States. They prefer open habitats such as prairies, plains, pastures, and agricultural fields.
Some key facts about the Lark Bunting:
- They are sparrow-sized birds, around 6.5-7 inches in length with a wingspan of 10-13 inches.
- Males have mostly black plumage with large white patches in the wings during the breeding season. Females are light brown and streaked.
- They feed on seeds and insects, foraging on the ground in short vegetation.
- The male’s melodious song, given from an elevated perch, sounds similar to a lark, hence the name.
- Nesting takes place in shallow depressions lined with grasses, where 3-6 eggs are laid.
- They form large flocks outside of breeding season, sometimes numbering in the hundreds.
- Populations have declined significantly since the 1960s, due to habitat loss and pesticide use.
Lark Buntings are still common across the Great Plains in the summer, where bird watchers can see males singing and flying over fields. They are a good representative of Colorado’s prairie ecosystems.
The Lark Bunting as Colorado’s State Bird
The Lark Bunting was voted the official state bird of Colorado back in 1931 by the Colorado legislature. This made Colorado one of the earlier states to designate a state bird. Some reasons why the Lark Bunting may have been chosen:
- It is found commonly across Colorado during the summer breeding season.
- Prairies and plains cover much of eastern Colorado, prime Lark Bunting habitat.
- They were seen by settlers and pioneers moving west, becoming a part of Colorado’s frontier identity.
- Their melodious song may have appealed to the legislature.
- No other states had the Lark Bunting as state bird at the time.
Having the Lark Bunting represent Colorado aligns with other state symbols like the Columbine flower and the Pikes Peak gold rush. More so than the mountains, prairies cover much of Colorado’s landscape. The Lark Bunting remains a fitting emblem of Colorado’s natural heritage. Their decline nationwide makes them a symbol to motivate conservation as well.
How the Lark Bunting’s Name Would Appear in a Crossword Puzzle
Crossword puzzle creators will sometimes make clues themed around a state and its symbols. For example, a crossword clue could read:
“Colorado’s state bird, the ___ bunting”
And the 3-letter answer there would be “Lark”.
Other sample crossword clues related to the Lark Bunting’s name:
- “Songbird named for its melodious call, Colorado’s state bird, ___ bunting”
- “Colorado prairie bird, ___ bunting”
- “Bird with a name that sounds like its song, ___ bunting”
So in a crossword, the Lark Bunting’s name would fit into a clue along with an indication that it is the Colorado state bird. This tests both knowledge of state symbols and familiarity with the Lark Bunting by name. When solving crosswords, Lark Bunting would be the go-to answer for any clues about the Colorado state bird.
The Lark Bunting’s Place in Colorado Culture
Beyond just being the official state symbol, the Lark Bunting has made appearances in Colorado culture and arts:
- A painting of a Lark Bunting by Louis Agassiz Fuertes is on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
- They have been featured in murals, often alongside sunflowers, in the towns of Lamar and Granada.
- A festival called Lark Bunting Days is held annually in late June in the plains town of Elbert.
- The Lark Bunting name is featured by the Lark Bunting Brewing Company in Denver.
- Poems have been written about the bird by Colorado writers, inspired by its song and colors.
So while they may be declining overall, the Lark Bunting maintains an important place as Colorado’s state bird symbolically, culturally, and artistically. Residents still take pride in this unique prairie songbird that represents an integral part of Colorado’s natural heritage.
Conclusion
In summary, the Lark Bunting is the official state bird of Colorado, made so officially back in 1931 by the state legislature. Its name would fill in the blank “___ bunting” in a crossword clue about the Colorado state bird. Lark Buntings are medium-sized songbirds that breed in the prairies and plains of the Great Plains, known for their melodius song. They represent Colorado’s frontier prairie history and can be found in arts and culture throughout the state today. While their populations have declined significantly in modern times, the Lark Bunting remains an iconic symbol of Colorado’s natural heritage.