Larks
Birds in the Alaudidae family are characterized by the long, straight claw on their hind toe known as a larkspur. They nest on the ground and don’t typically have bright coloration. Most birds in this family are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, with only two found in North America.
Included below is the Horned Lark.
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
“Plate 200.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Prairies, fields, airports, shores, tundra. Inhabits open ground, generally avoiding areas with trees or bushes.
Preferred Food: Seeds and insects. Also eats some spiders and snails, and eats berries of low-growing plants in some regions.
Fun Fact: Unlike most birds, which hop, horned larks walk or stride while moving along the ground looking for insects and seeds to eat.
