Horned Lark

Description:

Male and female Larks about the size of a sparrow. They are light brown on the back and light color underneath. Light brown band across the chest, dark color collar on front of the neck and a dark mustache. On the males the dark forheads have feathers on both sides of the top of the head to look like horns. Light color (or yellow) also on throat and over the eyes. Females are faded more in the face.

Habitat:

open areas with very little or short plant growth. Also gravel and dirt roads.

Notes:

Behavior was almost like a robin with running and stopping. I observed two close locations. One in a field with constant singing and short low flights. The other was because of very little shade in the area they used fence post shadows for shade and spread their wings enought to let air pass under.