Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow is a comparatively large New World Sparrow that seems to have a receding population. In open-country habitats, these birds are the largest sparrows. Sparrows in general are quite difficult to identify but that is not the case with Lark Sparrows. These birds are extremely easy to identify, due to their distinctive broad, white-edged tails and boldface patterns.

About Lark Sparrows

An interesting fact about Lark Sparrows is the characteristic courtship dance performed by males. This unique dance can last up to 5 minutes. While performing this dance, the males begin by hopping, and then assuming such a posture that they look like a strutting Turkey. Another courtship feature that is unique to Lark Sparrows is the practice of males passing twigs or leaves to females during copulation. Interestingly, these birds sometimes use old Thrasher or Mockingbird nests if they are uninterested in building their own.

These birds are the only members of the genus Chondestes. The oldest Lark Sparrow that has been recorded almost lived till he was 10 years old. Lark Sparrows are also especially melodious birds. Their dialects vary regionally, and it is
possible that populations living in different geographical ranges might be singing songs of different complexities and arrangements. This might be proven if this matter is further studied.

These birds are of great economic importance as they feed on grasshoppers which generally contribute greatly to crop damage. Therefore, in a sense, Lark Sparrows are a natural means of controlling pests. As a result of all these striking features, Lark Sparrows seem like very interesting birds to spot. Not only will their appearance be amusing, but also their songs. For all these reasons, let’s learn a little more about these fascinating birds.

● Lark Sparrow Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Lark Sparrow Size, Eating behavior, Habitat
● Lark Sparrow Range and Migration, Nesting

GET KIDS BIRD WATCHING

Lark Sparrow Color Pattern

Both sexes of Lark Sparrows closely resemble each other in terms of their color. Adults have a dark and light pattern on the head, which usually consists of a beige or white bar on the crown, and brown color that extends from the top of their bills.

Their faces have distinctive streaks, and significant black streaking on their upperparts. The upper body of these birds usually appears brownish gray to buffy brown which ends with two whitish-pale buff wing-bars.

They have chestnut ear patches on their face, and marks with alternating white-and-black stripes. The tails of Lark Sparrows are black or brown with distinctive and bright white corners. Their bills are brownish with blackish tips at the end.

The backs of adults are also predominantly chestnut-colored, and their feet are brown with claws of the same color. Juveniles are duller in comparison to adults, and they also have streaked breasts and flanks.

Lark Sparrows never completely molt, but a partial molt can occur between February and April. This molt is almost completely the same as their basic molt but consists of a brighter head plumage.

Description and Identification

These large Sparrows are unique in appearance and behavior that they are in a monotypic genus. Their closest relative is the Vesper Sparrow.

Lark Sparrows have two subspecies that closely resemble each other. These birds can be differentiated based on the small variations in their color and back pattern. The characteristics of these two subspecies can merge when there is a clash in their ranges. Their song is a great way of identifying these songbirds. This song is a jumble of trills and rich notes which consists of a number of different pitches and volumes. Although the majority of their song is melodious, harsh “churrs” and “buzzes” can also be heard in between.

Lark Sparrows sing in bouts throughout the day. A single bout can last for about one hour. These birds stop singing by late evening.

Lark Sparrow Song

Typically, their song begins with 1-3 clear and whistled notes, 1-2 notes of a lower pitch, and a clear trilling sound. A metallic “tsip” or “tink” is the most commonly occurring note. The song of these birds is one of the longest songs Sparrows sing.

Other than their song, they produce a number of vocalizations that all serve different purposes. They vocalize to raise alarm during danger, to indicate distress, and to beg for food. Even when they are in contact with others birds of their species, these birds produce a call. Their alarm call is a sharp “chirp”.

While feeding they vocalize a call of low intensity that they slowly repeat in regular intervals. They make their alarm or distress calls until the threat disappears, or they are able to fly away from the same.

Lark Sparrow Size

On average, Lark Sparrows are about 6.5 inches long. They weigh between 0.8-1.2 ounces, and their wingspan is about 11 inches. These birds have long and rounded tails and thin and pointy bills of medium size. In terms of size, both sexes of Lark Sparrows are similar.

Lark Sparrow Behavior

Lark Sparrows are timid birds that are easily disturbed. It doesn’t take much to alarm these birds. These ground foragers swiftly fly towards a low branch or fence when they feel threatened. Lark Sparrows have slightly restless personalities.

Mostly, Lark Sparrows lurk on the ground while foraging for food. They walk or hop around till they spot something to eat. Other than foraging from the ground, they also perch on top of shrubs, trees, and fenceposts while looking for food.

Lark Sparrows form seasonal monogamous bonds. Male Lark Sparrows are territorial to the extent that they commonly fight with other males. When the territory of a male is breached by another male, they immediately threaten them by raising their head. This leads to a clash that involves both birds flying at each other and grappling in mid-air.

Female intruders are given a very different sort of treatment. Males immediately begin courtship displays when they spot intruding females. Just before copulation, males extend a twig or leaf to the female. Lark Sparrows are a little less hostile once the incubation period is over. Once the eggs of these birds hatch, they form groups for foraging together.

During winter, the territorial behavior is completely absent from these birds. Not only do they form flocks with their own species, but they also commonly mix with Vesper Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows.

When flying or migrating, these birds reach greater heights than other sparrows do, and produce a sharp call note as they pass. Singing and vocalizations are very important for these birds, as males sometimes perch atop branches at the edge of clearings and sing persistently for long periods. These birds enjoy singing to a great extent.

Lark Sparrow Diet

Their diet is omnivorous during the breeding season, and granivorous during nonbreeding periods. During the breeding season, they mostly consume large insects and seeds from a few species of plants. Perhaps their insect consumption reduces during non breeding seasons due to the decreased availability of insects as the climate becomes significantly colder.

Lark Sparrows search for litter and seeds on open grounds, and among shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Sometimes, they also glean arthropods from the shrubbery. Some seed species that these birds consume are panic grass, bristlegrass, ragweed, redmaids, wheat, and oats.

Although they might be selective in terms of the size of their insects, they have a tendency to be opportunistic about the rest of their food. They might change their diet to include food that is abundantly found during a certain season. It is not known if they are capable of storing their food.

Lark Sparrow Habitat

Lark Sparrows generally inhabit structural open areas such as orchards, open woodlands, cultivated habitats, savannas, grasslands, mesquite grasslands, and fallow fields. Any grassy areas that are in close proximity to scattered shrubs and trees can be inhabited by these birds.

While making stopovers during migration, or in their wintering ranges, they generally inhabit similar habitats. Although certain populations might also inhabit pine-oak forests, agricultural areas, and thorn scrubs.

Range and Migration

Lark Sparrows are songbirds that are widespread throughout North America but mostly concentrated in the United States. Except for a small portion in the northwest and the east coast, these birds can be found throughout America.

These birds are not uncommon in the central-southern region of Canada, and large populations are also found in Mexico. Lark Sparrows are migratory birds that travel northwards during the breeding season and southwards towards milder climates during winter.

Only two individual Lark Sparrows have been sighted as vagrants in the United Kingdom. It’s possible that these birds might have been transported there, through a ship. The range of these birds has reduced over time. In the past, their range extended further east until Western Maryland, but they are now absent from most of their former breeding areas in the East. This is a result of the transformation of their habitats in these regions.

Lark Sparrow Lifecycle

Nesting season for Lark Sparrows begins around mid-April and ends by July. Females are capable of laying between 3-6 eggs per clutch, but often the number of eggs laid is 4-5. These eggs are 0.7-0.9 inches in length and 0.6-0.7 inches in width. The eggs are creamy-white with dark scrawls and spots.

Females incubate these eggs for 11-12 days, after which they provide the nestlings with food for 6-10 days. Following this brief nestling period, the younglings fly away from their nests.

The average life span of Lark Sparrows is 94 months but considering that their populations are dwindling as this number must be reducing regularly. Frequent fires in their grassy habitats might be a major cause of this significant population decline.

The highest mortality rate observed in Lark Sparrows is during their nesting period. These deaths have been mostly caused due to predation by other species, or due to the abandonment of nests. Certain mammals and snakes have been observed predating these birds.

Juvenile Lark Sparrows are also quite vulnerable to predation. The frequency of predation depends on the number of predatory elements in the habitats they live in. Snakes are particularly common as their nest sites are mostly on the ground.

Nesting

Lark Sparrows generally construct their nests on the ground, or on shrubs or trees that are close to the ground. Nests that are constructed on the ground are placed in shallow depressions on lands that are higher in elevation compared to the rest of the land. Nests that are not placed on the ground are on average 4.5 feet off the ground. Lark Sparrows often reuse old nests of other species, or they might re-nest in the vicinity of previously failed nests.

Both males and females actively search for nests by flying over a number of potential sites, but females are assumed to take the final call. The female gathers materials for the selected nest, while the male might accompany her or wander off to a nearby perch to sing.

The nest is a thick cup of grass, stems, or twigs that is lined with horsehair or finer grasses. Nests that are constructed on the ground are built in areas with poor or sandy soils. Lark Sparrows often raise more than one brood per year.

Anatomy of a Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrows are large Sparrows that have a lean build and a graceful figure. Some studies suggest that males are slightly larger than females.

Final Thoughts

Lark Sparrows are striking and amusing birds that must particularly be delightful for birdwatchers to spot. These melodious birds have particularly unique characteristics which make them even more interesting.

It is unfortunate that the numbers of these birds are steadily decreasing, but at least until now, these birds are common throughout their range.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying Lark Sparrows

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Lark Sparrows are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

Lark Sparrow Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Lark Sparrow. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders ForLark Sparrows

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird Houses ForLark Sparrows

There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.