A hardy, all-season bird of open areas. Horned Larks are pretty common most of the year in much of South Dakota, but they're often quite hard to observe closely. Most of the year, they often go unnoticed. However, they're much more observable with a fresh snow on the ground, as they often congregate in numbers along gravel roadsides, along with Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings. The "horns" of the Horned Lark are in fact quite small, black tufts of feathers that can only be seen at very close range.
Habitat
The Horned Lark inhabits open landscapes with sparse vegetation, including native prairies, shortgrass grasslands, agricultural fields, deserts, tundra, beaches, alpine meadows, and barren flats. It prefers areas with bare ground or very short vegetation that provide unobstructed views for detecting predators. During winter, Horned Larks often forage in harvested fields, pastures, and open roadside habitats, frequently forming large flocks.
Diet
The Horned Lark feeds primarily on seeds of grasses, weeds, and cultivated grains during fall and winter. During the breeding season, it also consumes a wide variety of insects and other invertebrates, including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, flies, and spiders. Seeds remain an important food year-round, while insects provide essential protein for adults and nestlings.
Behavior
The Horned Lark is a ground-dwelling bird that spends much of its time walking or running across open terrain while searching for food. It is often seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season but forms large flocks during migration and winter. Males perform fluttering song flights over their territories in spring, while the species relies on its cryptic plumage and open habitats to detect and avoid predators.
Nesting
April through June. The Horned Lark nests on the ground in open barren country, placing its shallow cup in a small depression often tucked beside a clod, tuft of grass, or stone for shelter. The female lines the nest with fine grasses, rootlets, hair, or feathers and lays 2 to 5 eggs, while both parents feed the young insects after hatching. Ground coloration and surrounding pebbles help conceal both nest and incubating bird remarkably well.
Song
The Horned Lark gives thin, tinkling contact notes and soft, high tsee calls that are sometimes difficult to hear in its normal windy open country habitats. Its song is a delicate, sweet series of jingling notes often delivered during a hovering or fluttering song flight high above the ground.
Migration
Found throughout much of North America, most U.S. populations are permanent residents. Those in the northern part of Canada do move southward for the winter.
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Horned Lark sightings
Similar Species
Generally distinctive if seen well
Conservation Status
Widespread and common. Horned Larks have adapted well to a human presence, and will utilize farmland or other heavily disturbed lands. Their overall numbers appear to be declining, but overall the IUCN considers the Horned Lark to be a species of "least concern".
Further Information
- eBird - Horned Lark
- Audubon Field Guide - Horned Lark
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology - All About Birds: Horned Lark
Photo Information
January 21st, 2009 - Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Terry Sohl
