The Horned Lark

The horned lark is the only true lark in North America. The Eastern meadowlark, actually a member of the blackbird family, is no lark at all, but was so-named by early Europeans because of its lark-like song. The yellowish-white face and throat, black mask, and small black “horns” of feather tufts on top of its head, make the horned lark easy to identify.

Horned larks are most easily noticed during winter when flocks congregate to feed on spilled grain along rural roads. In late fall, they may gather at the edges of harvested fields to feed on waste and spilled grain. The casual observer could easily assume these are the only times they are present in Illinois. Not so! Horned larks are a common permanent year-round resident of Illinois. They sometimes congregate around livestock feedlots throughout the year, but such gatherings usually escape notice of the public eye.

During winter, it is also common to see horned larks in short-grass areas next to roads, feeding on weed seeds. When disturbed, flocks often numbering 100 or more flush up in low undulating flights, singing their high-pitched, thin, twittering song.

These feeding and flying behaviors often occur during snowy weather. It is easy to understand why some assume these birds are migrants coming in with cold snowy weather because they are usually not seen by most during other seasons.

Some migrations and considerable movements by local flocks do occur, making identifying actual migrations difficult. At least two, and possibly more, races of horned larks are present in Illinois. The more common prairie horned lark (Eremophila alpestris praticole) is present, as well as a northern race (E. a. alpestris) which is seen more regularly in winter. These different races also complicate migration determinations.

These larks do like cold weather—period! Courtship may begin as early as January. Nesting begins in February and is often finished by spring planting time. They share these tendencies of being the early bird with another farmland regular—the killdeer. However, horned larks may be even more cold blooded than killdeer.

Such early nesting is not without its hazards. Late winter storms can take clutches. And nests with eggs as well as young fledglings are vulnerable to early farming operations. Still, the species survives and thrives, aided by its capacity to hatch two or more broods in a season. Horned larks are one tough bird!

Nests are not elaborate affairs, except possibly for the stone “patios” sometimes constructed by the side of the nest. Nests are made on the ground in open areas. Often, the nest is built by the female in a slight depression and lined with fine grasses and weed stems. Usually, three to five grayish-white eggs with brown spots are laid. Both parents participate in the 11- to 14-day incubation and feeding of the young.

Horned larks are essentially ground feeders with seasonally variable diets. Insects, spiders, grass seeds, and agricultural grains are the usual fare. Ground dwelling insects such as caterpillars, sowbugs, grasshoppers, and beetles are valuable food sources in warmer weather. Of course, agricultural grains and weed seeds fill the bill in fall and winter. Except when parents are caring for the young, most feeding is done by communal flocks.

Horned larks prefer open areas with short vegetation, sometimes almost barren locales devoid of any shrubbery or trees. No wonder they can be so prevalent on some farmlands. Before presettlement times, barrens and areas cleared by recent fires must have afforded enough suitable habitat for them to survive in the tallgrass prairies of the Midwest. Pastures, golf courses, and airports are home to their share of horned larks. As a testament to their toughness, horned larks thrive in these open habitats over large geographical areas and at varied elevations. They prosper at sea level to high elevations, from the Arctic tundra to the deserts of the Southwest.

According to bird surveys conducted by Richard (1924-1997) and Jean (1924-2015) Graber—noted Illinois Natural History Survey ornithologists of the Illinois countryside—statewide numbers of horned larks increased more than any other bird species in the state during the first half of the 20th century. Such an increase could be partly explained by the concurrent increase in agricultural activity.

If you are one of the majority who only notice horned larks during colder weather, be on the lookout for this yellowish-white faced and throated, black masked, horned bandit during other times of the year. Stake out a feedlot with plenty of waste grain or grain-based foodstuffs on hard surfaces at any time of the year. Or, go to a permanent bluegrass pasture that has been grazed short and start checking out all of the smaller birds that at a distance appear to be mostly brown. Even during colder weather when you spot birds feeding in short-grass patches, and the ground is alive with their movement, check them out with your binoculars. The before “unnoticed” birds will become much more appreciated.

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Robert J. Reber is an emeritus faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He has been a lifelong student of many aspects of the Natural World, including archaeology. Bob has served as a managing editor and author for publications such as “The Illinois Steward” magazine and the “Illinois Master Naturalist Curriculum Guide.”