American Tree Sparrow or Lark Sparrow ?

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about American Tree Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

How to recognise a lark sparrow?

General appearance

Lark sparrows are medium-sized sparrows with distinctive head patterns, featuring a chestnut crown and cheek patches bordered by white and black stripes. Their back is streaked brown, while the underparts are pale with a central dark spot on the breast.

Male vs female

Males and females are similar in appearance, with both sexes displaying the characteristic head pattern and plumage. Size and coloration differences are minimal, making them difficult to distinguish in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile lark sparrows resemble adults but have a more subdued head pattern. Their plumage is generally duller, with streaked undersides rather than the adult's distinctive breast spot. Juveniles gradually acquire adult coloration as they mature.

Size

5.9 - 6.7 in/0.8 - 1.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Lark sparrows typically prefer open country with bushes, trees, pastures, farms, and roadsides. They generally favor nesting areas with open bare ground and taller plants, particularly in overgrazed pastures, sandy barrens, hedgerows near fallow fields, and brushy dry grasslands.

Additional range

In migration and winter, Lark sparrows inhabit similar areas to their primary environment. They can also be found in open weedy fields, sometimes including open pinyon-juniper woods.

Range Map

What do lark sparrows like to eat?

Natural diet

The lark sparrow primarily feeds on seeds and insects. During winter, it relies heavily on seeds, including those from grasses, weeds, and waste grain. In summer, the bird's diet shifts to a higher intake of insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars, which provide essential nutrients. Young lark sparrows are primarily fed insects, supplemented with some grass seeds, to support their growth and development.

Bird feeders

While the provided information does not specifically address lark sparrows at bird feeders, they may be attracted to feeders that offer seeds similar to their natural preferences, such as millet or mixed seeds typically found in birdseed blends. They are less likely to focus heavily on feeders if other natural food sources are available.

What does a lark sparrow sound like?

The lark sparrow's vocalizations are complex and undulating, characterized by alternating sequences of buzzes and melodious trills. Typical calls include a variety of types, such as buzz, chirp or chip, rattle, trill, and whistle. These birds display an incredible range and variation in their singing patterns, executing intricate sound combinations to communicate.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

There's more to learn about Lark Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

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Lark Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

Also known as: Winter Sparrow

General appearance

The American tree sparrow is a small, slender bird with a distinct rusty cap and gray face. A notable brown streak extends through the eye, and the bird has a bicolored bill with a dark upper mandible and yellow lower mandible. Its back and wings are brown with dark streaks, while the underparts are pale gray with a central dark spot on the breast. The tail is long and notched with two white wing bars that stand out.

Male vs female

There is minimal sexual dimorphism in American tree sparrows, meaning males and females look alike. Both genders share the same coloration and markings, making them difficult to distinguish based solely on appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile American tree sparrows resemble adults but with slightly duller and less distinct markings. Young birds may have a more muted crown and face pattern. As they mature, their plumage becomes more defined, resembling the adults in coloration and characteristics.

Size

5.5 - 6.5 in/0.5 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about American Tree Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

General appearance

Lark sparrows are medium-sized sparrows with distinctive head patterns, featuring a chestnut crown and cheek patches bordered by white and black stripes. Their back is streaked brown, while the underparts are pale with a central dark spot on the breast.

Male vs female

Males and females are similar in appearance, with both sexes displaying the characteristic head pattern and plumage. Size and coloration differences are minimal, making them difficult to distinguish in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile lark sparrows resemble adults but have a more subdued head pattern. Their plumage is generally duller, with streaked undersides rather than the adult's distinctive breast spot. Juveniles gradually acquire adult coloration as they mature.

Size

5.9 - 6.7 in/0.8 - 1.2 oz

There's more to learn about Lark Sparrow

How to tell the American Tree Sparrow from the Lark Sparrow

Visual differences

The American Tree Sparrow (5.5-6.5 in, 0.46-0.99 oz) is smaller and slender, with a rusty cap and gray face, a brown eye streak, and a bicolored bill. Its pale gray underparts have a central dark spot. The Lark Sparrow (6-6.7 in, 0.85-1.16 oz) is medium-sized, featuring a striking chestnut crown and cheek with white and black stripes. Both have pale underparts with a breast spot, but the Lark Sparrow's head pattern is more prominent. The Tree Sparrow's tail is long with white wing bars, whereas the Lark Sparrow has a streaked brown back.

Key differences and behavior

American Tree Sparrows (0.46-0.99 oz, 5.5-6.5 in) primarily inhabit Arctic treelines and woodland edges, nesting on the ground. In contrast, Lark Sparrows (0.85-1.16 oz, 5.9-6.7 in) prefer open country with sparse trees and shrubs, and choose varied nesting sites, from ground to shrubs. While both engage in intricate courtship displays, American Tree Sparrows sing and display to establish territories, whereas Lark Sparrows perform unique hopping and crouching dances. Dietarily, both birds consume seeds and insects, but American Tree Sparrows heavily depend on insects in summer, vital for chick development. Lark Sparrows adjust their insect intake in summer, primarily feeding young with insects. In winter, American Tree Sparrows visit feeders for seeds like sunflower and millet, while Lark Sparrows might use feeders if natural seeds aren't abundant. During winter, Lark Sparrows join mixed species flocks, unlike the solitary American Tree Sparrow groups, termed "groves."

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

American Tree Sparrow vs Chipping Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Chipping Sparrow

A tiny forager with a crisp, trilling song.

American Tree Sparrow vs Song Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Song Sparrow

A backyard troubadour with a rich, musical song.

American Tree Sparrow vs Field Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

A winter feeder visitor with a tiny chestnut cap.

Field Sparrow

Lark Sparrow vs Chipping Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

A tiny forager with a crisp, trilling song.

Lark Sparrow vs Vesper Sparrow

Lark Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow