Lark Buntings invade South Texas!
Lark Bunting (male) in winter, Jim Hogg Co., TX. Photo by Aaron Tjelmeland
Lark Buntings despite their name are not true buntings, but represent one of the larger and chunkier members of the sparrow family. In winter plumage, Lark Buntings are grayish-brown above with an overlay of darker streaks, whereas the breast and belly are whitish with dark streaks. Males typically show more black on the chin and in the wing than females. In flight and on perched birds, large white patches in the wings are reminiscent of the white-winged dove.
Interestingly in spring, the male molts his dull winter plumage for an all black plumage which contrasts markedly with the big white patch on the wing. This summer plumage has earned these birds the name white-winged blackbird.
Lark Buntings breed in the central plains states, from the panhandle of Texas north to the central provinces of Canada.
Ironically, sightings of Lark Buntings continued into mid-May (2010) representing a rather late date of occurrence of this wintering species.
Did you see any of these interesting birds this past winter?
