Oregon · Summer breeder

Lark Sparrows in Oregon

When lark sparrows are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Lark SparrowChondestes grammacus

Status in Oregon: Summer breeder
Nesting window: April–July
Broods: 1–2 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–9b

When to expect lark sparrows in Oregon

Lark Sparrows are summer residents in Oregon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent.

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.

Nesting in Oregon

Across Oregon, lark sparrows typically nest from April–July. Plan around that window: March for setup, July for clean-out.

Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.

Lark Sparrows don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native Oregon plants that attract lark sparrows

Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover lark sparrows use:

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Paper birch

Betula papyrifera · Tree

Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.

Rocky Mountain bee plant

Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Feeding lark sparrows through the Oregon year

Top foods: Millet, Cracked corn.
In Oregon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for lark sparrows · Best feeder for lark sparrows

Frequently asked

Are lark sparrows in Oregon year-round?

No. Lark Sparrows are summer breeders in Oregon and leave for the winter.

When do lark sparrows nest in Oregon?

Nesting in Oregon typically runs April–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 3–6 eggs, incubated for 11–12 days.

What native plants attract lark sparrows in Oregon?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for lark sparrows.

Other backyard birds in Oregon

Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Oak Titmouse Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch California Towhee Spotted Towhee California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Gray Catbird Western Tanager Green-tailed Towhee Clark's Nutcracker Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Kingbird Ash-throated Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Snow Bunting Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Bohemian Waxwing Bobolink Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Rock Pigeon

Sources

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.