About Calamospiza melanocorys Stejneger, 1885
Calamospiza melanocorys Stejneger, 1885, commonly known as the lark bunting, is a species of small songbird. All lark buntings have a short, thick bluish bill, a large white patch on the wings, and a relatively short tail with white-tipped feathers. Breeding males have an entirely black body with a large white patch on the upper wing. Nonbreeding males and females look similar to each other, and both have grayish brown plumage marked with white stripes. This species has the following standard measurements: a total length of 5.5–7.1 inches (140–180 mm), a body weight of 1.3–1.5 ounces (37–43 g), and a wingspan of 9.8–11.0 inches (250–280 mm). The lark bunting is the most common passerine species found in the grasslands of North America. Their breeding habitat is made up of prairie regions in central Canada and the midwestern United States. Each fall, these birds migrate in flocks to overwinter in southern Texas, Arizona, and the high plateau of northern Mexico.
