lark bunting

noun

1. a finch, Calamospiza melanocorys, of the western U.S., the male of which is black with a large, white patch on each wing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lark bunting¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

One such species, the lark bunting, increased more than threefold.

From Washington Post

Examples include the lark bunting, Colorado’s state bird, and the wood thrush, a migratory bird that breeds in Eastern forests.

From New York Times

No. But evolutionarily it is. He’s wealthy and well-resourced and this Alpha Male Lark Bunting just built her a pretty swank nest in the coziest shadiest nook of Vermont.

From Scientific American

Official state bird: lark bunting I’m actually OK with this.

From Slate

From its habit of congregating in large flocks in the winter and alighting on arable land to feed, after the manner of the Skylark, it is sometimes called 'Lark Bunting', and, from its favourite food, 'Corn Bunting'.

From Project Gutenberg