Lark Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesLark Sparrow
Adult
Large, pale sparrow with a thick bill. Adults have very striking head pattern with a chestnut crown and cheek patch, a pale stripe over the eye, and a strong black malar or mustache stripe. Note the black spot in center of the white breast.
© Joshua Vandermeulen / Macaulay LibraryOntario, April 16, 2017Adult
The long, rounded tail has white corners that flash in flight. The chestnut crown and cheek with a pale eyebrow and a dark mustache stripe are distinctive.
© Byron Stone / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 28, 2020Adult
Large sparrow with bold, complex head pattern of dark, light, and reddish stripes. Call note is a thin chip.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 20, 2008Not all videos have sound
Adult and juvenile
Adults have a colorful head pattern and black streaks on the back. Juveniles have brown-on-white head pattern and streaks on the breast.
© Kenneth Schneider / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, July 10, 2017Immature
Large sparrow with long tail and rounded tail. Immatures have similar face pattern to adults but lack the chestnut coloration to the crown and cheek.
© Neil Diaz / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 25, 2017Habitat
Occurs in prairie, grassland, agricultural areas, desert scrub, sagebrush, and other open areas.
© Steve Valasek / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 16, 2017Similar SpeciesChipping Sparrow
Nonbreeding
Chipping Sparrows are smaller and have smaller bills than Lark Sparrows. Chipping Sparrows also lack the strong rufous or brown cheek patch of Lark Sparrows.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 15, 2007Similar SpeciesVesper Sparrow
Adult/immature
Vesper Sparrows lack the chesntut crown, cheek patch, and pale eyebrow stripe of Lark Sparrows.
© John Reynolds / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, September 04, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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