Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) 

 Audio

Identification

• small, drab, brown songbird with yellow throat, black tail
• usually stays on or near ground
• adults have distinctive head pattern, black under eyes and across breast
• at close range small black upright feathers give the appearance of "horns"
• 7-8 in. (18-20 cm.)

Habitat

• open areas--roadsides, bare fields, areas with sparse vegetation

Additional Information

• common migrant and summer resident, winters on open ridgetops
• rare on Reserve, more often found in nearby agricultural areas
• male sings high tinkling song in courtship flight
• large flocks can be found in February and March during northward migration