Identification:

What is a Streaked Horned Lark?

Horned larks are found world-wide, with over 40 described subspecies on 5 different continents. Three subspecies breed in Washington, including the streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), which is restricted to only the western parts of Washington and Oregon.

From March through September, streaked horned larks establish pair bonds and defend territories on breeding grounds and raise chicks. In fall and winter, they form large flocks, sometimes with other lark subspecies or other grassland species, such as American Pipits. Some populations migrate short distances during the winter.

Why are there so many subspecies unique to Garry oak woodland and prairie habitats in western Washington and Oregon? Learn more about the the ancient glacial legacy of the Puget Sound reflected in the at-risk subspecies found here.

Female streaked horned lark carrying food (Charlie Wright 2024)

Streaked horned larks - Male above, female below. (Illustration by Marissa Gibson 2025)

English Name: Streaked horned lark

Scientific Name: Eremophila alpestris strigata

Status: Federally threatened | Endangered (WA) | Sensitive (OR)

  • Rufous and brown back and head with a white belly and yellow face and chest
  • Bold black collar, mask and namesake “horns”, little tufts of feathers called plumicorns
  • Male and female larks look similar, but males are brighter with more contrasting colors.

  • Song is a high-pitched ascending series of whistles.
  • Calls include a sharp two-note “chee-doo” or “chee-dip”, chatters, and “seep” notes.

Streaked horned lark song below, visualized in a spectrogram (Tim Leque)

 

 

  • During the breeding season, male larks perform an aerial display called “skylarking,” where they fly in circles high above their territory and sing.
  • Females build a nest on the ground, sheltered by a host plant, where they lay 3-5 eggs.
  • Nestlings fledge after only 9 days in the nest while still flightless; they depend on both parents for food for several weeks after fledging until they are independent.

Did you know? Streaked horned larks almost never perch like other songbirds. They are so adapted to life on the prairies that they prefer to stand on flat ground rather than perch on a twig.