Lark Sparrow

Said to be rare in Aldea, we have had a lone Lark Sparrow foraging on the ground in our backyard this April. Others in Aldea have noted that the Lark Sparrow is not common here. I have been observing the sparrow walk and explore on the ground as shown in the photos below. That walking on the ground to forage, not hopping, is characteristic behavior. They hop only during courtship.

I love the brown, black and white graphic striping on its head and below its eyes in combination with its grayish beak. This one blended into the dried grass areas so much so that I needed my long lens just to get a reasonable photo of it, but its head gave it away from a distance. Beautiful. 

The graphic head separates it from the Chipping Sparrow which has a redish-brown crown on its head. The Lark Sparrow and a Chipping Sparrow have been in the yard this April.

In reviewing the range maps, the Lark Sparrow is here in northern New Mexico in the summer months and then migrates to Mexico for the winter. Usually they are seen in groups, so I am surprised we have seen just one sole Lark Sparrow here. A group of sparrows is known as a “crew”’ “flutter”, “meinie”. “quarrel”’ or “ubiquity” of sparrows.

Click on photos to enlarge.