Lark Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus
Large and boldly patterned sparrow. Look for unique black, white, and rufous face pattern, brighter on adults and duller on immatures. Favors open areas with scattered trees when breeding; often forms flocks in brushy areas in winter. Usually feeds on the ground and flies up into trees when disturbed. In flight, notice long tail with broad white corners.
Identification
The lark sparrow is distinctive. Adults have a typically sparrow-like dark-streaked brown back, and white underparts except for a dark central spot. The cheeks and crown sides are chestnut, with white eyebrow and crown stripes. The dark tail's corners are also white. Young lark sparrows are duller, and the underparts are streaked.<p>Measurements:
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Chondestes grammacus
- Authority
- (Say, 1822)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passerellidae
- Genus
- Chondestes
Range and habitat
It breeds in southern Canada, much of the United States, and northern Mexico. It is much less common in the east, where its range is contracting. The populations in Mexico and adjacent states of the United States are resident, but other birds are migratory, wintering in the southern United States, Mexico and south to Guatemala.<p>It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe, with two accepted records in Great Britain in 1981 and 1991.[citation needed]
- Breeding range
- NA : w, n
- Non-breeding range
- se USA to Guatemala
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Pin-tailed Manakin
Ilicura militaris
Very small manakin with pointed central tail feathers that is found in humid forests. Males are striking with a black crown and back, a red forehead and rump, green wings, and a pale white collar and belly. Females are mostly olive-green above with a gray face and paler belly. Both sexes have yellow irises. The song is a high-pitched “see-see-see.”
Black Bulbul
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Medium-sized songbird with predominantly dark plumage, a very short crest, and crimson bill and legs. Long tail and bill impart an elongated appearance. Head color varies considerably across distribution, ranging from white to dark gray to black. Often travels in large flocks, which move noisily between fruiting trees. Most commonly found in broadleaf evergreen and mixed deciduous forests but also regularly visits gardens and lowland forests. Extremely noisy, with a huge repertoire, emitting various squeaks, meows, chatters, whistles, and more.
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