Horned Larks

Male Horned Lark singing on a shrub – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1500, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Yesterday was awesome for Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris) in Tooele County, Utah. The day was sunny with a few thin clouds overhead and as the sun rose the air warmed fast, in fact in Salt Lake city a record was broken yesterday.

The horned larks must have felt as though a touch of spring was in the air because they were almost all singing from rocks and shrubs. The image above shows the “horns” of this species well. In Europe and Asia this species is also know as the Shore Lark.

 Back view of a male Horned Lark  – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/200, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Horned Larks are birds of open county and are found areas with lots of bare ground, they can be found throughout North America. Horned Larks flourish in areas of the Great Basin from arid areas to the tundra above the timberline.

They nest in a depression on the bare ground sometimes sheltered by low shrubs and grasses. They lay 2-5 eggs and can have as many as three broods a year.

Female Horned Lark  – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Horned Larks are ground foragers, they eat mostly insects in the summer and on the seeds of sedges and grasses in the winter. When they are feeding they can be a challenge to photograph as they scurry along the ground in search of seeds.  Quite often the larks blend into the habitat because of their coloring and plumage patterns. There are times I do not see them until they move.

You sure can hear them though! They have a lovely call and seem to enjoy singing it often, once you have heard the call you will likely remember it for the rest of your life.

Horned Lark singing on a rock – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Last month some friends and I saw several flocks of horned larks numbering in the hundreds, it was the most horned larks I had ever seen flocked together. They swirled over the open ground in waves similar to blackbirds and starlings. They are a hardy species and winter from southern Canada south to Mexico.

Alert male Horned Lark  – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

It did feel like spring is on its way yesterday and the horned larks enhanced that feeling with their presence and song. What a great day! Great light, plenty of birds, the sun kissing my face and wonderful company… who could ask for anything more?

Mia