Local Heroes: Lark Sparrow and Lark Bunting

Two grassland birds, one unique state bird. This week, Hannah and Cleo dig into the Lark Sparrow and the Lark Bunting, who are both summer regulars at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Plus: the true story of how Colorado picked its state bird in 1931, what birds so many states are stuck sharing, and how one very passionate Fort Collins educator won a multi-year lobbying campaign for a bird "unknown to ninety percent of Colorado citizens."Music by fknsydLarks and States discussion starts at 15:55 SourcesAll About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) — Ruddy Duck: Overview, ID, Life HistoryAll About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) — Pied-billed Grebe: Overview, ID, Life HistoryMissouri Department of Conservation, Ruddy Duck field guide: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ruddy-duckMaryland DNR, Pied-billed Grebe: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/plants_wildlife/pie-billed_grebe.aspxNew Jersey DEP, Pied-billed Grebe status (State Endangered): https://nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/pbgrebe.pdfAudubon Field Guide, Pied-billed Grebe: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/pied-billed-grebeTweeters mailing list, Pied-billed Grebe territorial "Circle Display" / "Bluff Diving" behavior notes (citing Birds of the World): https://mailman11.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/2023-May/002759.htmlBritannica, The Odyssey (2026 film, dir. Christopher Nolan), release date and cast: https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Odyssey-film-by-Nolanhttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/ducks-penis-length-depends-other-guysBright-Eyed Birder Reel