Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow adult

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Lark Sparrow juvenile

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

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.

Description

• Large sparrow.
• Long, rounded tail with white corners.
• Plain whitish underparts with large dark spot in center of breast.
• Striking face pattern.

• Size: 15-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 28 cm (11 in)
• Weight: 24-33 g (0.85-1.16 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike, males slightly larger.

Sound

Song a melodius jumble of clear notes and trills, interspersed with harsh buzzes and churrs.

Conservation Status

Breeding Bird Survey data show a nationwide decrease in populations, especially in the eastern portion of its range.

Other Names

Bruant à joues marron (French)
Gorrión arlequín (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Unlike many songbirds, the Lark Sparrow walks on the ground rather than hops. It hops only during courtship.

• A courting male Lark Sparrow crouches on the ground, holds his tail up at a 45 degree angle from the ground, spreads the tail feathers to show off the white tips, and then struts with its wings drooping so that the wingtips nearly touch the ground. When the female is receptive, the male gives her a small twig just before copulation.

• The Lark Sparrow often takes over old mockingbird or thrasher nests instead of building its own. Occasionally the eggs and young of two species are found in the same nest, suggesting that the Lark Sparrow shares the nest with the other bird.

Sources used to construct this page:

Martin, J. W., and J. R. Parrish. 2000. Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus). In The Birds of North America, No. 488 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.