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Lark Sparrow Identification

Lark Sparrow Adult
Adult

Large, pale sparrow with thick bill. Adults have very striking head pattern with reddish crown and cheek patch, pale stripe over the eye, and strong black malar or mustache stripe. Black spot in center of white breast.

© Joshua D. Vandermeulen | Macaulay LibraryOntario, April 16, 2017
Lark Sparrow Immature
Immature

Large, pale sparrow with thick bill and long tail. Immatures have similar face pattern to adults but lack the reddish coloration to crown and cheek.

© Neil Diaz | Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 25, 2017
Lark Sparrow Adult
Adult

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, 2008
Lark Sparrow Juvenile and adult
Juvenile and adult

Large sparrow with thick bill. Adults have colorful head pattern and black streaks on the back. Juveniles have brown-on-white head pattern and streaks on the breast.

© Ken Schneider | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, July 10, 2017
Lark Sparrow Adult
Adult

Large sparrow with thick bill. Long tail has white corners that flash in flight. Reddish brown crown and cheek with pale eyebrow and dark mustache stripe are distinctive.

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryColorado, August 07, 2010
Lark Sparrow Immature
Immature

Immatures have strong face pattern like adult, but without reddish brown. Long tail has large white flashes in the corners.

© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, November 25, 2016
Lark Sparrow Habitat
Habitat

Occurs in prairie, grassland, agricultural areas, desert scrub, sagebrush, and other open areas.

© Steve Valasek | Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 16, 2017
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Adult Description

  • Large sparrow.
  • Long, rounded tail with white corners.
  • Plain whitish underparts with large dark spot in center of breast.
  • Striking face pattern.

Immature Description

Juvenile with brown streaks on chest. Face pattern more obscure with browns instead of chestnut and black, and dirty white stripes. First winter has adult pattern, but duller on face.
Relative Size

Relative Sizesparrow or smallersparrow-sized or smaller
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)
    • Weight: 0.8-1.2 oz (24-33 g)
    • Wingspan: 11.0 in (28 cm)

Species in This Family

New World Buntings and Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family:Passerellidae)

Rufous-winged SparrowRufous-winged Sparrow
Botteri's SparrowBotteri's Sparrow
Cassin's SparrowCassin's Sparrow
Bachman's SparrowBachman's Sparrow
Grasshopper SparrowGrasshopper Sparrow
Baird's SparrowBaird's Sparrow
Henslow's SparrowHenslow's Sparrow
LeConte's SparrowLeConte's Sparrow
Nelson's SparrowNelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh SparrowSaltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside SparrowSeaside Sparrow
American Tree SparrowAmerican Tree Sparrow
Chipping SparrowChipping Sparrow
Clay-colored SparrowClay-colored Sparrow
Black-chinned SparrowBlack-chinned Sparrow
Field SparrowField Sparrow
Brewer's SparrowBrewer's Sparrow
Black-throated SparrowBlack-throated Sparrow
Lark SparrowLark Sparrow
Lark BuntingLark Bunting
Fox SparrowFox Sparrow
Dark-eyed JuncoDark-eyed Junco
White-crowned SparrowWhite-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned SparrowGolden-crowned Sparrow
Harris's SparrowHarris's Sparrow
White-throated SparrowWhite-throated Sparrow
Sagebrush SparrowSagebrush Sparrow
Bell's SparrowBell's Sparrow
Vesper SparrowVesper Sparrow
Savannah SparrowSavannah Sparrow
Song SparrowSong Sparrow
Lincoln's SparrowLincoln's Sparrow
Swamp SparrowSwamp Sparrow
Canyon TowheeCanyon Towhee
Abert's TowheeAbert's Towhee
California TowheeCalifornia Towhee
Rufous-crowned SparrowRufous-crowned Sparrow
Green-tailed TowheeGreen-tailed Towhee
Spotted TowheeSpotted Towhee
Eastern TowheeEastern Towhee

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