Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5B - Secure Breeding SNRB - Unranked Breeding |
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| Minnesota | Special Concern Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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Lark Sparrow bird is identified by its boldly marked head and face. The cheeks and the sides of the crown are chestnut brown. There is a white stripe in the center of the crown, below the eye, and below the cheek; a black line from the bill, through the eye, to above the cheek; and a black line from the bill to below the cheek. The breast is unmarked except for a large dark spot in the center. |
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Size |
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6″ in length 11″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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A variable, melodious song consisting of clear notes, trills, buzzes, and pauses. |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Open areas with brushy edges, especially sandy areas. |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Omnivorous. Feeds on grasshoppers, other insects, and seeds in Breeding season, seeds in non-Breeding season. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Rare and local breeder |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Passeriformes (perching birds) | ||
Family |
Passerellidae (New World sparrows) | ||
Genus |
Chondestes (lark sparrows) | ||
New World sparrows were traditionally combined with buntings into the family Emberizidae. Recent phylogenetic analysis (Barker et al. 2013) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis (Klicka et al. 2014) found that the Old World buntings should be separated as a sister to New World sparrows. New World sparrows have been separated into a new family, Passerellidae. |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Eastern Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus grammacus) Western Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus strigatus) |
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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Nancy Falkum |
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Chondestes grammacus Lark sparrow nest w/eggs at TNC Cox Unit. |
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Laurie Wachholz |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Lark Sparrow JMC Nature Photos |
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| Lark Sparrow Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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Other Videos |
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| WIld Bird Video Productions Carl Barrentine |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 25, 2009 Photographed near Mekinock, North Dakota (25 June 2009). |
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| Lark Sparrow (Emberizidae: Chondestes grammacus) Foraging Carl Barrentine |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 24, 2009 Photographed near Kellys Slough NWR, North Dakota (24 June 2009). |
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| Lark Sparrow Mike McDowell |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 15, 2010 Lark Sparrow does a subtle display, then takes flight. |
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| Lark Sparrow Diana Jacobs |
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About
Uploaded on Apr 27, 2009 Song of Lark Sparrow, filmed in Tilden Park, Berkeley, CA. First part is camcorder video, second part is sound recorded with my cell phone, with overlays of still taked feom preceding video. All the same bird, same location time etc. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this bird. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Nancy Falkum 6/16/2022 |
Location: Weaver Dunes Preserve, Cox Unit Chondestes grammacus Lark sparrow nest w/eggs at TNC Cox Unit. |
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| Nancy Falkum 5/27/2022 |
Location: Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Weaver Dunes Unit |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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