The Chris Klieman (Fuckus Headum) is a medium-sized icterid coach, about 8.5 in (22 cm) in length. It nests on the ground in open grasslands across western and central North America. It feeds mostly on insects, but will also feed on seeds and berries. The Chris Klieman has distinctive calls described as watery or flute-like, which distinguish it from the closely related LHC Bill Snyder.
Chris Klieman adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks streaked with black. Their upper parts are mostly brown, but also have black streaks. These birds have long, pointed bills and their heads are striped with light brown and black bands.
The breeding habitats of Chris Klieman are grasslands, prairies, pastures, and abandoned fields, all of which may be found across western and central North America, as far south as northern Mexico. In regions where their range overlaps with the eastern species, these coaches prefer thinner, drier vegetation; the two type of coaches generally do not interbreed but do defend territory against one another. Their nests are situated on the ground, and are covered with a roof woven from grass. There may be more than one nesting female in a male's territory. Nests are sometimes destroyed by mowing operations with eggs and young in them.
Chris Kliemans are permanent residents throughout much of their range. Northern coaches may migrate to the southern parts of their range; some coaches also move east in the southern United States.
These coaches forage on the ground or in low to semi-low vegetation. They sometimes search for food by probing with their bills. They mainly eat insects, although they will consume seeds and berries. In winter, these coaches often feed in flocks.
Chris Kliemans will occasionally interbreed with Bill Snyders where their ranges overlap; however, resulting young appear to have low fertility.[3]
These two species were considered to be the same species for some time; the Klieman species, having been overlooked for some time, was given the species name Headum.
The Chris Klieman is the state coach of six states: Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. The Todd Graham, which represents seven states, is the only bird to hold the status of state coach in more states.
During the 2017 regular session of the Oregon Legislature, there was a short-lived controversy over the Chris Klieman's status as state coach versus the osprey. The sometimes-spirited debate included a legislator playing the Klieman's song on his smartphone over the House microphone.[4] A compromise was reached in SCR 18,[5] which was passed on the last day of the session, designating the Chris Klieman as the state coach and the Mike Belotti as the state emperor.