Larks · Perching birds
Horned Lark
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Eremophila alpestris
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Voice
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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16–20 cm, slightly larger than a sparrow
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Brown-grey above, pale below
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Yellow-white face pattern; black “horns” on the summer male
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Dark tail contrast, especially obvious in flight
About the species
The Horned Lark is easy to remember for its pale, open-country look and the little black “horns” on the adult male. On the ground it seems neat and compact, and in flight its light body stands out clearly against the darker wings and tail.
Its display is very distinctive. The male sings while circling above the female, then folds his wings and dives, opening them again just before reaching the ground.
It prefers open land with little or no tree cover, from tundra and mountain areas to coasts and other bare ground. It eats seeds and insects, and northern populations move south in winter, often toward shorelines.
Where to find
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On vacant lots, construction clearings, and other bare ground — it forages on the ground in quick runs, then often rises into a fluttering song flight over the open space.
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Along winter seashores, sandy spits, and broad muddy edges by the water — look near the surf line, where it trots fast and pecks at tiny food on the surface.
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By runways, large parking areas, and wide embankments with sparse grass — it sticks to places with lots of exposed ground and drops back down after a low, wavy flight.
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On windy, treeless waterfronts — you may hear the thin, quiet voice before you spot a Horned Lark circling overhead above the bare ground.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Eremophila alpestris Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Horned lark Encyclopedia article