Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Haley Breniser
Washtenaw Co., MI 2/14/2009 © Darlene Friedman This species sponsored by Anne Naber. (Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II)
This is a bird of bare ground—of rock, soil, winter, seeking less harsh conditions; they can be found flocking with snow buntings, pipits, and thatch. The watery timbre of its song is and longspurs often in windswept fields. easily carried over fallow field and treeless plain. At first glance, the Horned Lark is Distribution camouflaged amid shades of brown, its musical The Horned Lark’s range expanded into song providing comfort in a seemingly desolate Michigan following European settlement due to countryside while its black mask and feather the accessibility of farmland for nesting. In fact, tufts add allure. Of the Alaudidae family, it is the same trend was recorded in the neighboring the only lark native to North America, and its province of Ontario in 1868. The Horned Lark gallant courtship display and pleasing flight was first observed there following the clearing song are enjoyed by many. There is high of Ontario’s southern Carolinian forest geographic variation within this species detected (McIlwraith 1894). Since the 1940s however, in body mass, wing chord, and coloration this trend has reversed as agricultural production (Oberholser 1902, Behle 1942), with the shade has decreased and old field has succeeded back of its back often matching the shade of local soil to deciduous forest (Robbins et al. 1986, Hussell (Beason 1995). The Horned Lark breeds 1987). throughout both the Eastern and Western
Hemisphere in temperate regions. In the East, In Michigan, Horned Larks are most commonly they are found in North Africa and Eurasia. In found breeding where human activities, such as the West, their breeding range extends from the agriculture, have exposed bare ground, creating islands of the Arctic south to the highlands of favorable nesting habitat. Interestingly, if you Mexico (Beason 1995). Throughout the U.S., were to overlay Michigan’s MBBA II breeding they are found in open landscapes. Physically evidence with the agricultural land currently in larger subspecies are observed in mesic habitat production, one would closely define the other. of the Northeast while smaller races are known However since MBBA I, breeding evidence for to exist in the arid lands of the southwest the Horned Lark has declined in Michigan; this (Beason 1995). They breed in all states except is most notable within the agricultural counties Florida and Hawaii. The northernmost breeding of the NLP and UP. Throughout Michigan’s populations commonly migrate south for the
© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Haley Breniser agricultural counties, many residents have relatively stable over the past 40 years, their witnessed the rapid conversion of farmland to population has been in steady decline over most suburban development or to abandoned field of its continental range since 1966 (Sauer et al. over the past 20 years. In fact, Norris and Soule 2008). Much like Ontario and New York (2003) found that farmland acreage in Michigan (Cadman et al. 2007, McGowan and Corwin decreased by almost 1.5 million acres or 13.3% 2008), Michigan’s second atlas shows a decline between 1982 and 1997. USDA (2002) recorded in breeding evidence across the state. While an additional 3% decline between 1997 and Michigan’s BBS data also illustrates a steady 2002. Knowing that Horned Larks prefer down turn since the early 1980s, it is not farmland for nesting in Michigan, this 16.3% statistically significant. However, USFWS decrease in farmland statewide most likely had a Region 3 BBS data illustrates a gradual and direct impact on the decline in breeding significant 2.83% decrease in population (Sauer evidence that was observed in the NLP and UP. et al. 2008). Researchers believe this is correlated with the persistent decline of Breeding Biology available farmland for nesting, forest Throughout its range, the Horned Lark nests on regeneration, and landscape development by bare ground within agricultural fields, tundra, humans (McGowan and Corwin 2008). These desert, and open plains. As soon as bare ground patterns of habitat change are witnessed across is available in March, the male Horned Lark Michigan’s landscape and in turn have been the begins a courtship display on Michigan’s open catalyst for landowner incentive programs landscape with tail spread, breast patch (USDA, USFWS, MI-DNRE) to assist farmers displayed, and musical trills resonating from his in habitat restoration and in establishing bill, all the while strutting back and forth in environmentally friendly farming practices. front of the female (Sutton and Parmelee 1955, Even though these programs have successfully Beason 1970). Once a mate succumbs to this restored grassland habitat throughout Michigan, elaborate display, fine grasses are collected and during MBBA II only 37% of Michigan’s placed in a shallow depression dug out by the townships (compared to 47% during MBBA I) female for nesting. The first brood is usually documented breeding activity of the Horned fledged before the farmlands are plowed and Lark. The highest concentration lies in the SLP planted, and snow can often still be seen melting with 79% of townships occupied compared to in piles on the ground. For subsequent broods, only 1% in the UP. The NLP recorded the the young are not as fortunate. Cultivation of biggest change since MBBA I with 50% fewer fields usually displaces the pair to (if nearby) townships showing breeding evidence. As freshly- mowed hayfields or short grass areas mentioned above, this suggests that substantial along airstrips (Hussell 1987). alterations of nesting habitat have occurred in this region, most likely farmland taken out of Abundance and Population Trends production. (Click to view trends from the BBS) According to Partners in Flight (2007), the Conservation Needs estimated North American population of Because of its world-wide distribution, Partners 99,000,000 Horned Larks is about 71% of the in Flight (2007) does not define specific global population estimate of 140,000,000. conservation needs for the Horned Lark. They estimate that 0.3%, or 400,000, of the However, over the past 20 years this handsome global population occurs in Michigan (PIF lark has been in a slow-but-sure decline across 2007). Although Beason (1995) reports that North America (Beason 1995), and Michigan’s Horned Lark populations have remained population continues to follow a similar trend.
© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Haley Breniser
In the U.S. North American Bird Conservation University of California Publ. Zoology 46: Initiative’s State of the Birds Report (2009), the 205-316. Horned Lark is #18 on the Common Birds in Best, L.B., H. Campa, III, K.E. Kemp, R.J. Decline list, and cultivation of farmland is Robel, M.R. Ryan, J.A. Savidge, H.P. identified as the foremost threat to their Weeks, Jr., and S.R. Winterstein. 1997. Bird breeding habitat. In a survey conducted by Best abundance and nesting in CRP fields and et al. (1997), Horned Larks were found nesting cropland in the Midwest: a regional in rowcrop fields in Michigan and not on approach. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25: 864- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands 877. such as restored grasslands. This suggests that in Cadman, M.D., D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. spite of landowner incentive programs like Lepage, and A.R. Couturier (eds.). 2007. CRP, these birds still prefer farmland for nesting Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, sites. However, many farmers are plowing, 2001-2005. Bird Studies Canada, planting, and mowing fields in the middle of Environment Canada, Ontario Field breeding season, displacing breeding pairs. Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural Conservation of the Horned Lark raises thought- Resources, and Ontario Nature. Toronto, provoking questions and should stimulate Ontario. discussion regarding what future conservation Hussell, D.J.T. 1987 Horned Lark. In Cadman, goals are appropriate for this species. We know M.D., P.F.J. Eagles, and F.M. Helleiner. that range expansion for the Horned Lark was 1987. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of largely human induced in the 1800s by clearing Ontario. University of Waterloo Press. of land for agriculture. Yet, because of the Waterloo, Ontario. combination of increased landscape McGowan, K.J., and K. Corwin (eds.). 2008. development and necessary, time-sensitive The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New farming practices executed by humans today, York State. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, the Horned Lark’s nesting habitat is now in NY. decline. Therefore, what is a suitable McIlwraith, T. 1894. The Birds of Ontario. conservation strategy for this species over the William Briggs, Toronto. next 20 years, and how might we apply it to Norris, P.E., and J. Soule. 2003. Managing Land other Common Birds in Decline in Michigan? Use Change and Michigan’s Future. In Michigan’s Opportunities and Challenges, Michigan State University Faculty Literature Cited Perspectives. Accessed Online at
© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) Haley Breniser
Suggested Citation
Breniser, H. 2011. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). In Chartier, A.T., J.J. Baldy, and J.M. Brenneman (eds.). 2010-2011. The Second Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. Kalamazoo Nature Center. Kalamazoo, MI. Accessed online at:
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