Perch Supply
New World sparrows (Passerellidae)

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus. Seeds and insects from open ground.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Lark SparrowChondestes grammacus
Scientific name
Chondestes grammacus
Length
5.9–6.7 in
Weight
0.9–1.2 oz
Nest
Grass cup on the ground, often at the base of a shrub
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–6 eggs
Incubation
11–12 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Striking chestnut, white and black face pattern
  • White-edged tail with a dark central spot
  • Large, long-tailed sparrow

Voice

Rich, varied song of trills and buzzes.

Diet and feeding

Seeds and insects from open ground.

What do lark sparrows eat? · Best feeder for lark sparrows

Lark Sparrows by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederMarch–July
ArizonaSummer breederMarch–July
ArkansasSummer breederApril–July
British ColumbiaSummer breederMay–July
CaliforniaSummer breederMarch–July
ColoradoSummer breederApril–July
ConnecticutSummer breederApril–July
DelawareSummer breederApril–July
FloridaWinter visitor—
GeorgiaSummer breederMarch–July
IdahoSummer breederApril–July
IllinoisSummer breederApril–July
IndianaSummer breederApril–July
IowaSummer breederApril–July
KansasSummer breederApril–July
KentuckySummer breederApril–July
LouisianaSummer breederMarch–July
MaineSummer breederMay–July
MarylandSummer breederApril–July
MassachusettsSummer breederApril–July
MichiganSummer breederApril–July
MinnesotaSummer breederMay–July
MississippiSummer breederMarch–July
MissouriSummer breederApril–July
MontanaSummer breederMay–July
NebraskaSummer breederApril–July
NevadaSummer breederApril–July
New HampshireSummer breederMay–July
New JerseySummer breederApril–July
New MexicoSummer breederApril–July
New YorkSummer breederApril–July
North CarolinaSummer breederApril–July
North DakotaSummer breederMay–July
OhioSummer breederApril–July
OklahomaSummer breederApril–July
OntarioSummer breederMay–July
OregonSummer breederApril–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederApril–July
QuebecSummer breederMay–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederApril–July
South CarolinaSummer breederMarch–July
South DakotaSummer breederApril–July
TennesseeSummer breederApril–July
TexasSummer breederMarch–July
UtahSummer breederApril–July
VermontSummer breederMay–July
VirginiaSummer breederApril–July
WashingtonSummer breederApril–July
West VirginiaSummer breederApril–July
WisconsinSummer breederMay–July
WyomingSummer breederMay–July

Frequently asked

What do lark sparrows eat?

Seeds and insects from open ground. At feeders: millet, cracked corn.

How big is a Lark Sparrow?

5.9–6.7 in long and 0.9–1.2 oz.

Do lark sparrows use birdhouses?

No. Grass cup on the ground, often at the base of a shrub.

Sources

  1. Lark Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Lark Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Lark Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.