Larks (Alaudidae)

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestris. Seeds and insects on bare, open ground.

Larks (Alaudidae)Horned LarkEremophila alpestris

Scientific name: Eremophila alpestris
Length: 6.3–7.9 in
Weight: 148–1.7 oz
Nest: Scrape on bare ground lined with grass
Entrance hole: Does not use nest boxes
Clutch: 2–5 eggs
Incubation: 10–12 days
Broods: 1–3 per season

Identification

Black mask and bib on a yellow face
Tiny black 'horns' raised when alert
Brown back, walks rather than hops

Voice

A high, tinkling series of notes, often given high overhead.

Diet and feeding

Seeds and insects on bare, open ground.

What do horned larks eat? · Best feeder for horned larks

Horned Larks by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	January–July
Alaska	Summer breeder	March–July
Alberta	Summer breeder	March–July
Arizona	Year-round resident	January–July
Arkansas	Year-round resident	February–July
British Columbia	Summer breeder	March–July
California	Year-round resident	January–July
Colorado	Year-round resident	February–July
Connecticut	Year-round resident	February–July
Delaware	Year-round resident	February–July
Florida	Winter visitor	—
Georgia	Year-round resident	January–July
Idaho	Year-round resident	February–July
Illinois	Year-round resident	February–July
Indiana	Year-round resident	February–July
Iowa	Year-round resident	February–July
Kansas	Year-round resident	February–July
Kentucky	Year-round resident	February–July
Louisiana	Year-round resident	January–July
Maine	Year-round resident	March–July
Manitoba	Summer breeder	March–July
Maryland	Year-round resident	February–July
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	February–July
Michigan	Year-round resident	February–July
Minnesota	Year-round resident	March–July
Mississippi	Year-round resident	January–July
Missouri	Year-round resident	February–July
Montana	Year-round resident	March–July
Nebraska	Year-round resident	February–July
Nevada	Year-round resident	February–July
New Brunswick	Summer breeder	March–July
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	March–July
New Jersey	Year-round resident	February–July
New Mexico	Year-round resident	February–July
New York	Year-round resident	February–July
Newfoundland and Labrador	Summer breeder	March–July
North Carolina	Year-round resident	February–July
North Dakota	Year-round resident	March–July
Northwest Territories	Summer breeder	March–July
Nova Scotia	Summer breeder	March–July
Nunavut	Summer breeder	March–July
Ohio	Year-round resident	February–July
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	February–July
Ontario	Summer breeder	March–July
Oregon	Year-round resident	February–July
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	February–July
Prince Edward Island	Summer breeder	March–July
Quebec	Summer breeder	March–July
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	February–July
Saskatchewan	Summer breeder	March–July
South Carolina	Year-round resident	January–July
South Dakota	Year-round resident	February–July
Tennessee	Year-round resident	February–July
Texas	Year-round resident	January–July
Utah	Year-round resident	February–July
Vermont	Year-round resident	March–July
Virginia	Year-round resident	February–July
Washington	Year-round resident	February–July
West Virginia	Year-round resident	February–July
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	March–July
Wyoming	Year-round resident	March–July
Yukon	Summer breeder	March–July

Frequently asked

What do horned larks eat?

Seeds and insects on bare, open ground. At feeders: cracked corn, millet (on bare ground).

How big is a Horned Lark?

6.3–7.9 in long and 148–1.7 oz.

Do horned larks use birdhouses?

No. Scrape on bare ground lined with grass.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.