A bold-patterned sparrow with distinctive chestnut-and-white face markings. Larger than most sparrows; long tail with white outer corners.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The lark sparrow is a fairly large New World sparrow. It is the only member of the genus Chondestes.
Source: Wikipedia — Lark sparrow Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Bold harlequin face pattern of chestnut, white, and black; white underparts with a single central dark breast spot; white-cornered tail conspicuous in flight.
Similar species. The ornate chestnut-and-white head pattern is unique among sparrows.
Voice. A long, varied jumble of clear notes, buzzes, and trills with melodic phrases and pauses.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds (primary), insects (especially during breeding).
Behavior. A handsome sparrow of open country and savanna; males perform a turkey-like strutting courtship display with drooped wings and spread tail.
§ Range
Western and central US
§ Habitat
Open dry habitats with scattered trees: prairies, savannas, pinyon-juniper
§ Threats
Habitat loss, pesticide drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the lark sparrow is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support southwestern grassland conservation. Skip pesticides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Lark sparrow
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Chondestes grammacus
- IUCN Red List — search for Chondestes grammacus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Chondestes grammacus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
