Horned larks are small songbirds found across North America. They breed in a variety of open habitats, including grasslands, deserts, tundra, agricultural areas, and coastal regions. Their breeding range extends from northern Canada and Alaska south throughout the continental United States and Mexico.
Breeding Range
Horned larks have an extensive breeding range across North America. Here is an overview of where they nest in different regions:
Canada and Alaska
In northern Canada and Alaska, horned larks breed in tundra habitats. They nest on the ground in areas with low-growing vegetation and ample bare ground. Their breeding range extends as far north as northern Ellesmere Island and other areas within the Arctic Circle.
Western United States
In the western half of the continental U.S., horned larks occupy open habitats including shortgrass prairies, sagebrush steppe, deserts, and alpine tundra. They are found breeding in areas such as:
- The prairies of Montana, the Dakotas, and the Canadian Prairies
- Sagebrush steppe in the Great Basin region
- Deserts of the Southwest like the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts
- Alpine tundra on high mountain peaks from the Rockies to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range
Midwestern and Eastern United States
In the Midwest and East, horned larks largely inhabit open agricultural areas. They nest in habitat such as:
- Croplands
- Pastures
- Hayfields
- Fallow fields
They are generally absent from dense forest regions. But may be found breeding in natural open areas like prairies, dunes, and coastal habitats.
Mexico
Horned larks breed across Mexico in similar open, arid, and agricultural habitats. This includes:
- Deserts like the Chihuahuan Desert
- Grasslands
- Agricultural areas
- Alpine tundra in the highest mountain ranges
Nesting
Horned larks build simple, cup-shaped nests on the ground in areas with low vegetation. The female scrapes out a shallow depression and lines it with grasses, feathers, hair, and other soft materials. Nests are extremely well camouflaged.
Some details about horned lark nesting:
- Nests are typically placed next to a grass clump or rock that helps conceal it.
- Females preferentially nest in areas with short, sparse vegetation and plenty of bare ground.
- In croplands, nests are built in fallow fields, stubble, or other untilled areas.
- The nests blend in remarkably well with their surroundings.
By nesting on the ground, horned larks are vulnerable to various predators and farming activities. But their cryptic coloration and ability to renest helps compensate for potential losses.
Breeding Season
Horned larks breed early in the spring across the northern parts of their range. Farther south they nest later, typically timed with the local rainy season. Here’s an overview of their breeding seasons in different regions:
Region | Breeding Season |
---|---|
Arctic North (tundra) | May – July |
Canada and Northern U.S. | April – July |
Midwest and Northeast U.S. | March – August |
Western U.S. | March – July |
Southwest U.S. and Mexico | March – September |
In most regions, the peak of breeding activity is from April to June. But horned larks are flexible in their timing and will renest multiple times in a season if necessary.
Clutch Size and Incubation
Female horned larks lay clutches of 2-6 eggs. The average clutch size is around 3-4 eggs. Clutches are larger in the northern parts of their range.
Only the female incubates the eggs. The incubation period lasts about 10-14 days before the eggs hatch.
Fledging
Horned lark chicks are able to leave the nest at a very early age. They become feathered and mobile when they are only around 7 days old. The chicks will leave the nest and follow their parents around while still unable to fly. They can make short fluttering flights by about 14-17 days old.
The early fledging helps protect horned lark chicks from predators. But the downside is the chicks are vulnerable on the ground before they can fly well. Parents must lead the chicks to suitable feeding areas.
Double Brooding
Horned larks are capable of raising more than one brood per breeding season across much of their range. They will initiate a second nesting attempt while still feeding fledglings from the first brood.
Some details on double brooding in horned larks:
- Most common in the southern and mid-latitude parts of their range
- Usually initiated 10-20 days after fledging the first brood
- Allows horned larks to maximize productivity in a short breeding season
In optimal habitat and climate conditions, horned larks may even attempt a third brood on occasion.
Threats and Conservation
In general, horned lark populations remain widespread and stable across North America. However, habitat loss and degradation do pose threats in certain areas. Some specific concerns include:
- Conversion of grasslands and agricultural lands to urban development
- Transition from pasturelands to more intensive row cropping
- Loss of fallow fields and untilled areas in highly cultivated regions
- Earlier and more frequent hay harvesting in grasslands
To conserve horned larks, land management practices that maintain open habitats with short vegetation, bare ground, and low disturbance during nesting are recommended. Protection of remaining native prairies and appropriate grazing regimes also benefit horned lark breeding.
Conclusion
Horned larks are a widespread breeding bird of open country across North America. They nest on the ground in a variety of habitats including tundra, grasslands, deserts, and agricultural areas. Their breeding season spans early spring through late summer depending on latitude and elevation. Horned larks build impressive camouflaged nests and are capable of raising multiple broods. Maintaining suitable habitat with short vegetation, bare ground, and low disturbance is key to conserving their populations.