Lark Sparrow

This passerine bird breeds in southern Canada, much of the USA, and northern Mexico. It is much less common in the east, where its range is contracting. The populations in Mexico and adjacent USA states are resident, but other birds are migratory, wintering in the southern United States, Mexico and south to Guatemala.

The Lark Sparrow is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

North American RangeThe Lark Sparrow is a distinctive bird with a number of bold features that distinguish it from other sparrows. The long tail has white triangles at the corners that are conspicuous in flight. The rump is gray-brown and unmarked, and the back is a similar color with dark streaks. The clear, white breast is punctuated with an eye-catching black dot. The most distinguishing feature, however, is the alternating chestnut, white, and black head pattern. More

The Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus, is a fairly large sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Chondestes. This passerine bird breeds in southern Canada, much of the USA, and northern Mexico. It is much less common in the east, where its range is contracting. The populations in Mexico and adjacent USA states are resident, but other birds are migratory, wintering in the southern United States, Mexico and south to Guatemala. More

This Lark Sparrow was captured resting on a barbwire fence near Jenner. Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus General Description Lark Sparrows are birds of south-eastern Alberta, rarely being found very much west of a line through Lethbridge to the Drumheller area or very much north of the Red Deer River. Even within this area they can be very local in distribution. More

General DescriptionThe Lark Sparrow is a large (15 to 17 cm, 24.7 to 33.3 g), long-tailed sparrow with a distinctive alternating chestnut, black and white facial pattern, and towhee-like black tail with white corners, conspicuous in flight or perched. Plain whitish underparts with dark spot on center of breast. Adults with variable black streaking on upperparts, otherwise generally appearing brownish gray to buffy brown above with two pale buff to whitish wing bars. More

The Lark Sparrow is a terrestrial bird species that is native to the Caribbean, North America and Central America. It is also known to visit the United Kingdom as well. The range of the Lark Sparrow is about 5.5 million square kilometers. The population of the Lark Sparrow is nearing 1 billion individuals. Due to the extremely large range as well as population of the Lark Sparrow, this bird species is not considered to be facing any immediate threats or dangers. More

A conspicuous sparrow of farmlands and roadsides, the Lark Sparrow has a bold face and tail pattern. With unusual courtship displays as well as plumage, it is like no other sparrow and is the sole member of its genus. More

Lark Sparrow is distinctive. Adults have a typically sparrow-like dark-streaked brown back, and white underparts except for a dark central spot. The cheeks and crown sides are chestnut, with white eyebrow and crown stripes. The dark tail's corners are also white. Young Lark Sparrows are duller, and the underparts are streaked. The breeding habitat is a variety of open habitats including grasslands and cultivation. More

Unlike most sparrows which move by hopping, the Lark Sparrow moves point-to-point unless startled and only hops during courtship. State of the Birds > Common Birds in Decline > Lark Sparrow #13 Common Bird in DeclineLark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) French Name: Pinson More

Lark Sparrows nest on the ground, laying 3-6 eggs in a grass cup nest sheltered by a clump of grass or other vegetation. The eggs are white with black scrawling. Diet / Feeding: These birds forage on the ground or in low bushes. They mainly eat seeds, but insects, including grasshoppers are also eaten in the breeding season. More

Bent Life History for the Lark Sparrow - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. LARK SPARROW CHONDESTES GRAMMACUS (Say) (The following subspecies are discussed in this section:Chondestes grammacus grammacus (Say), and C. g. strigatus (Swainson.) Contributed by DONALD HENRY BAEPLER HABITS The lark sparrow is easily recognized in the field. More

Home Guide to Birds of North America Lark Sparrow Description Description - BREEDING MALE - The Lark Sparrow’s most distinctive feature is its face pattern, with a reddish crown and cheek patch, gray supercilium, black line in front of and behind the eye, and a black malar stripe. It has grayish-white underparts with a black central breast spot. In flight, white outer tail feathers are visible. More

Lark sparrow is a common summer resident in the canyonlands of Lincoln County where occurrence dates extend from 16 April to 11 October (Tout 1947). Rosche (1979) found lark sparrow in the lower North Platte River Valley during 6 May to 2 September. Breeding Range: A common (locally abundant) nesting species in the Sandhills and on the Western Plain. Fairly common on the Dissected Plain of southern Lincoln County; uncommon and local in the Platte River Valley and Eastern Plain. More

Breeding distribution of the Lark Sparrow in the United States and southern Canada, based on Breeding Bird Survey data, 1985-1991. Scale represents average number of individuals detected per route per year. Map from Price, J., S. Droege, and A. Price. 1995. The summer atlas of North American birds. Academic Press, London, England. 364 pages. More

The Lark Sparrow in Northwest Ohio - A lark sparrow A Lark Sparrow at Kitty Todd Preserve Lark sparrows are typically found west of the Mississippi River in the prairies of the plains states. But they are also found here in Northwest Ohio. The open prairie areas of the Oak Openings Region attracts them here. They like the open sandy areas where they can hunt for bugs. More

Lark Sparrow is a medium-sized sparrow. Adult male has streaked, grey brown upperparts. Underparts are whitish, with dark central spot on breast. In all ages, cornered tail is long and black with white edges, conspicuous in flight. On the head, we can see black, white and chestnut stripes, and white eye ring. Cheeks and crown sides are chestnut, with white eyebrow. Eyes are black. Legs and feet are pinkish brown. Conical bill is two tones, black and whitish. More

Lark Sparrow - near Chambersburg, Franklin County; January 2006. Photo by Bob Moul. This bird was seen along Shatzer Road, north of Chambersburg, from January 10th into May. Note the distinctive head pattern and dark spot on the plain gray breast. More photos of this bird can be found on Bob Moul's website. - 1999 Lark Sparrow - Rock Springs, Centre County; May 15, 1999. Photo by Franklin Haas. More

Lark Sparrows are usually found on open ground, lawns and fields. This bird was found along Shatzer Road, north of Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA on January 10, 2006. When I arrived at the location, the sparrow was easily found in a flock of White-throated Sparrows. The bird continued to be seen at this location into May of 2006. More

Northwestern California Birds: Lark Sparrow is a local, uncommon breeder in this part of the state, mostly in the southwestern portion of the region (Mendocino County) (Harris 1991). More