Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow in Northwest Ohio

A Lark Sparrow at
Kitty Todd Preserve

Lark sparrows are typically found west of the Mississippi River in the prairies of the plains states. But they are also found here in Northwest Ohio.

The open prairie areas of the Oak Openings Region attracts them here. They like the open sandy areas where they can hunt for bugs. They also like the clumps of sedge grass and bluestem grasses in these open areas. These make good nesting areas.

Where and When to see Them

The best places to see these rare birds in Northwest Ohio is at Kitty Todd Preserve and Oak Openings Preserve usually in May and June.

At Oak Openings Preserve the best places are:

- The fields at the intersection of Girdham Road and Oak Openings Parkway
- The sand dunes on Girdham Road
- Ostrich Barrens near Campbell Prairie

Please Note...

May and June is also their nesting time. Their nests are right on the ground in these places.

Please respect the nesting areas and do not walk through them during May and June. We wouldn't want any of them to be stepped on.

So why is it found hundreds of miles east of where it normally lives?

The lark sparrow needs open areas to hunt for insects and seeds. It likes the open sand barrens and sparse vegetation -- characteristics of the open savannas and sandy prairies in Northwest Ohio's Oak Openings Region.

These sparrows have been using the Oak Openings Region as a breeding ground since the early 1900s. Males arrive in April to establish territories. Females arrive in May.

The lark sparrow likes the open sandy
savannas of the Oak Openings
(photo by Bob Jacksy)

It nests in the open prairies of the Oak Openings

This sparrow nests on the ground in clumps of grass.

The young leave the nests by June. By late July all of the birds have left Northwest Ohio to begin migrating south.

The birds have quail-like patterns on its chestnut and white striped head. It has a white chest with a black spot on it. The outer tail feathers are white.