Description

Distinguishing Features - Larger than a sparrow, average 18 cm long; colouration: buff-brown upperparts; lighter underparts; black face patch, from bill to eye; characterisitic, small black "horn" above and back of each eye.

Habitat

Alaska and Arctic Canada, south throughout the U.S.; also northern Europe and Russia; open terrain with little ground cover; ploughed fields, shorelines and prairies.

Diet

Mostly weed seeds and insects.

Notes

The Horned Lark does well on open prairie, arctic tundra, the sea coast and cultivated fields. It forages on the ground by running instead of hopping as most small birds. When a flock of Horned Larks arrive in a feeding area, they disperse in an energetic show in search for food.

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