Population status

Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which covers a large portion of the breeding population in Canada, provides the best available information on long-term population trends of the Lark Sparrow. BBS results show a large increase in abundance since 1970 within both Bird Conservation Regions that host the species, and for which there are reasonably reliable results (displayed below). In contrast, BBS results for North America, which mostly reflect the larger population in the United States, indicate that the continental Lark Sparrow population has decreased by about 25% since 1970. The Lark Sparrow population is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Lark SparrowMean abundance (2008-2012)Mean long-term abundance (1970-2012) minus 25%Not applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.503
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-20162.2-1.35.2
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1972-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1972-20162.8-0.15.7
Prairie Potholes Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prairie Potholes 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.4-0.23
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.6-0.9-0.3
 

References