CLIPBOARD : Breeding Bird: HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris)

Description: This streaked brown bird has a slender bill and long hind claws. Its distinctive head pattern consists of black sideburns, eye markings and two small black horns with a yellowish face and throat with black bib across breast. The yellowish-white breast coloring extends to rump. Black tail with white outer and brown central tail feathers are conspicuous in flight. Females are duller overall. Juveniles are dark above with white belly; they also lack black markings and horns. Length: 7 1/4 inches. Habitat: Lower canyon areas, golf courses, open country and fields. Diet: Mostly seeds, insects and snails. Displays: In courtship, male struts before female with horns erect and wings drooped; also performs elaborate song-flight. In distraction display, female flutters, appearing wounded, to lure predator from nest area. Nest: Female chooses shallow depression for nest site lined with roots, hair, grass and plant down. Eggs: Color may vary but, generally, grayish-green and speckled with brown. Less than 1 inch long. Call: A clear, single note tsee-titi . Song is prolonged, tinkering twitter delivered from ground or air. Notes: Seldom perches in trees or on wires; walks, does not hop, on the ground. Breeding bird atlas: To report bird breeding activity in your neighborhood, or to get information on the breeding bird atlas, please call Sea and Sage Audubon Society members Sylvia Gallagher, (714) 962-8990, or Nancy Kenyon, (714) 786-3160.