# Lark Sparrow (*Chondestes grammacus*) The Lark Sparrow is a cheerful little bird with a lovely song. It has a pretty brown and white pattern that helps it blend into the grass where it likes to live. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 24 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Lark Sparrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/LarkSparrow.jpg&width=800) Photo: www.naturespicsonline.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LarkSparrow.jpg) ## Appearance The Lark Sparrow has a striking face pattern with a white eyebrow, a chestnut cheek patch, and a dark stripe on its chin. Its back is brownish with streaks, and it flashes distinctive white outer tail feathers during flight. Its breast is lightly streaked. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Chondestes ## Interesting facts - Baby Lark Sparrows have fuzzy crests on their heads that disappear as they grow up! - Lark Sparrows often scratch the ground like a chicken to find hidden tasty bugs! - Their scientific name, Chondestes grammacus, means 'grain-eating songster with lines or markings'! - They sometimes use tiny pieces of string, hair, or even spider silk to build their nests! ## Special abilities - **Melody Maestro:** Lark Sparrows can sing a complex, varied song with trills and buzzes that helps them attract mates and defend their territory. - **Tail Flasher:** Lark Sparrows have bright white outer tail feathers that help them signal to others or evade predators by distraction. - **Ground Nest Weaver:** Lark Sparrows can expertly build camouflaged nests directly on the ground, helping them hide eggs and chicks from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-27 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-12 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds enjoy a mix of crunchy seeds and juicy insects, especially during nesting season. - **Age differences:** Nestlings primarily eat insects for growth, while adults consume more seeds, especially in winter. - **Primary Foods:** grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, sunflower seeds, ragweed seeds, grass seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — Lays its eggs in Lark Sparrow nests, making them raise its young. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Predates on eggs and nestlings found in ground nests. - **Hunts:** [Differential Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/differential-grasshopper) (*Melanoplus differentialis*) — A key insect prey, especially important for feeding growing chicks. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lark Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Lark Sparrow? 15-17 cm ### What is Lark Sparrow's wingspan? 25-27 cm ### How much does Lark Sparrow weigh? 0.02-0.03 kg ### How long does Lark Sparrow live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Lark Sparrow move? 55 km/h ### What does Lark Sparrow eat? These birds enjoy a mix of crunchy seeds and juicy insects, especially during nesting season. ### Where is Lark Sparrow usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [McClellan Creek National Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcclellan-creek-national-grassland) — Texas, US · National Park - [Monument Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monument-rocks) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark - [Quartz Mountain Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quartz-mountain-nature-park) — Oklahoma, US · Park [View all places to see Lark Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lark-sparrow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Lark Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lark-sparrow)