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Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Breeding Location:

Bushes, shrubs, and thickets, Grasslands



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Loose colonies, Some polygamous



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

White to pale gray with brown and black markings



Number of Eggs:

3 - 6



Incubation Days:

11 - 12



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Sticks, grass, and forbs., Lined with rootlets and grasses.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Lark Sparrow: Medium sparrow with streaked, gray-brown upperparts and buff underparts with black breast spot. Head has black, white, and chestnut-brown stripes. Tail is long and black with white edges. Short, fluttering flight, alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.

Range and Habitat

Lark Sparrow: Breeds from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and northern Minnesota, south to California, northern Mexico, Louisiana, and Alabama. Spends winters from southern California to Florida and southward. Preferred habitats include grasslands, semi-open scrublands, agricultural areas, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodlands in lowlands and foothills.

Breeding and Nesting

Lark Sparrow: Three to six white to pale gray eggs marked with brown and black are laid on the ground or low in a bush or tree in a bulky cup nest made of sticks, grass, and forbs, and lined with rootlets and grass. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Lark Sparrow: Eats seeds, grasshoppers, and other insects; forages on the ground and low in trees and shrubs, usually in flocks, even during breeding season.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Lark Sparrow: Song is a long, pleasant, bubbling melody that consists of short trills, buzzes, pauses, and clear notes. Call is a metallic "tik", given in flight.

Similar Species

Lark Sparrow: None in range.

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Family
Species Chondestes grammacus
Length5.75 - 6.75 Inches
Wingspan10.75 Inches

Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow: Medium sparrow with streaked, gray-brown upperparts and buff underparts with black breast spot. Head has black, white, and chestnut-brown stripes. Tail is long and black with white edges. Short, fluttering flight, alternates rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.

● Song: "tik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Lark Sparrow: Eats seeds, grasshoppers, and other insects; forages on the ground and low in trees and shrubs, usually in flocks, even during breeding season.

● Breeding & nesting: Lark Sparrow: Three to six white to pale gray eggs marked with brown and black are laid on the ground or low in a bush or tree in a bulky cup nest made of sticks, grass, and forbs, and lined with rootlets and grass. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Lark Sparrow: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Fluttering wing beats., Alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.
Lark Sparrow Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Lark Sparrow: Breeds from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and northern Minnesota, south to California, northern Mexico, Louisiana, and Alabama. Spends winters from southern California to Florida and southward. Preferred habitats include grasslands, semi-open scrublands, agricultural areas, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodlands in lowlands and foothills.
BreedingMonogamous, Loose colonies, Some polygamous
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight1 Ounces