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The horned lark or shore lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae found across the northern hemisphere. It is known as "horned lark" in North America for distinctive feathers on the heads of the male birds in summer, and as "shore lark" in Europe because it can be found on shorelines in the winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Unlike most other larks, this is a distinctive-looking species on the ground, mainly brown-grey above and pale below, with a striking black and yellow face pattern. Except for the central feathers, the tail is mostly black, contrasting with the paler body; this contrast is especially noticeable when the bird is in flight. The summer male has black "horns", two tufts of feathers on its head which give this species its American name. North America has a number of races distinguished by the face pattern and back colour of males, especially in summer. The southern European mountain race E. a.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Horned Lark sounds like
Where the Horned Lark lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Portugal, Bahamas, Syria, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Kosovo.
When to see the Horned Lark
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
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