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Lark Sparrow

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)

Habitat: Prairie
Habitat Attribute: Low to moderate statured herbaceous vegetation and scattered woody cover

Population Objectives (Ecoregions)

Klamath Mountains (Rogue Basin):

  • By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 600 birds by ≥66.5% (2.1% annual exponential growth rate) to 999 birds, with ≥500 birds in ≥17 subpopulations, and another ≥500 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.

Klamath Mountains (Umpqua Valley)

  • By 2030, reestablish as a breeding species with ≥1 small subpopulation (5-15 pairs/ population).

Habitat Objectives (Ecoregions)
Klamath Mountains (Rogue Basin):

  • By 2030, maintain ≥17 suitable habitat areas as described below that include ≤2,009 ha (4,965 ac) with ≥70% habitat suitability/patch.

Klamath Mountains (Umpqua Valley):

  • By 2030, maintain ≥1 habitat area as described below that includes <90 ha (222 ac) with 70% habitat suitability/patch.

Population and Habitat Objectives (Subregions)
Klamath Mountains:
Size, Number, and Distribution of Subpopulations and Habitat Areas by 2030:

  • ≥2 large subpopulations (i.e., ≥25 pairs) in <180 ha (445 ac)/subpopulation
  •  ≥5 medium subpopulations (i.e., 15-25 pairs) in <150 ha (371 ac)/subpopulation
  • ≥10 small subpopulations (i.e., 5-15 pairs) in <90 ha (222 ac)/subpopulation
  • ≥6 of the small habitat areas, ≥3 of the medium habitat areas, and ≥1 of the large habitat areas should have ≥90% of the area in secure conservation status (i.e., ownership or easements) and being managed in ways compatible with suitable habitat
  • ≤10% of the subpopulation habitat area should be hostile habitat (i.e., urban, residential, high density rural)

Population Objectives (Sites)
Target Densities in Suitable Habitat:

  • Klamath Mountains: >0.03 birds/ha (>0.01 birds/ac)

Habitat Objectives (Sites)
Prairie or Oak Savannah in the following conditions:

  • woody cover <25% and patchily distributed with tree cover <10% and shrub cover 5-25%
  • herbaceous cover >50% and <46 cm (18 in) tall
  • bare or sparsely vegetated ground 5-25% and patchily distributed
  • areas of suitable habitat >8 ha (20 ac)
  • maintain cowbird parasitism rates <10% within specific study sites

Cited Plan

Rockwell, S. M., J. L. Stephens, and B. Altman. 2022. Population and habitat objectives for landbirds in prairie, oak, and riparian habitats of western Oregon and Washington. Version 2.0. Prepared for Oregon-Washington Partners in Flight, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. Klamath Bird Observatory, Ashland, OR, and American Bird Conservancy, Corvallis, OR.