# Horned Lark (*Eremophila alpestris*) The Horned Lark is a small, cheerful bird with a special horn-like tuft on its head. It loves to sing and can be found hopping around in open fields and grasslands. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Horned Lark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eremophila_alpestris_flava%252C_Blyth_3.jpg&width=800) Photo: MPF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eremophila_alpestris_flava%252C_Blyth_3.jpg) ## Appearance The Horned Lark is a small, streaky brown bird with a pale belly. It has a distinctive yellow face, a black bib, and two small, dark feather tufts on its head, resembling horns, making it unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Alaudidae - **Genus:** Eremophila ## Interesting facts - Horned Larks sometimes line their ground nests with small pebbles. - It's the only true lark native to North America! - These birds usually run away instead of flying when approached. - They love to 'bathe' by wiggling around in dry dust. ## Special abilities - **Hidden Horns:** Horned Larks have feather tufts on their head that they can raise to display because this helps them communicate with other larks. - **Ground Camouflage:** Horned Larks have streaky brown plumage that helps them blend perfectly into their open, grassy habitats, avoiding predators. - **Cold Weather Nester:** Horned Larks can be one of the earliest birds to nest, even in cold regions, because they are adapted to harsh, open environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-20 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-36 cm - **Weight:** 0.028-0.045 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-9 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 10-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds eat seeds and small insects, foraging on the ground in open areas. - **Age differences:** Young birds and breeding adults eat more insects for protein; diet shifts to more seeds in winter. - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, weed seeds, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common raptor that hunts small birds in open country. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — A ground predator that preys on ground-nesting birds and their eggs. - **Eats:** [Differential Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/differential-grasshopper) (*Melanoplus differentialis*) — Horned Larks consume many insect pests, especially in summer. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — Horned Larks feed on seeds from various grasses. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Horned Lark? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Horned Lark? 16-20 cm ### What is Horned Lark's wingspan? 30-36 cm ### How much does Horned Lark weigh? 0.028-0.045 kg ### How long does Horned Lark live? 2-9 years ### How fast can Horned Lark move? 60 km/h ### What does Horned Lark eat? These birds eat seeds and small insects, foraging on the ground in open areas. ### Where is Horned Lark usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/antelope-valley-california-poppy-reserve-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Downtown Ossining Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-ossining-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Independence](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/independence) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood - [Kentucky Horse Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-horse-park) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve - [Monument Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monument-rocks) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Quartz Mountain Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quartz-mountain-nature-park) — Oklahoma, US · Park [View all places to see Horned Lark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/horned-lark) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Horned Lark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/horned-lark)