Horned lark nesting habits shed light on declining bird populations

The overall population of ground-nesting birds is steadily declining. In North America, hundreds of bird species nest directly on the ground. Prairie birds, such as the Eastern and Western Meadowlarks, exemplify this trend. If you are older than 50, you likely remember hearing meadowlarks during your youth. However, today, their populations have dramatically declined. Meadowlarks are ground-nesting birds.

Other ground-nesting prairie birds, such as Bobolinks and Dickcissels, are also declining. Once abundant, these birds have seen dramatic population decreases due to modern agricultural practices aimed at maximizing profits from every inch of land.

So, with this in mind, I was thrilled when a friend told me he had found a particular ground-nesting bird that I had previously only studied and photographed once. This bird is the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), a member of the lark family found throughout the northern hemisphere. It is North America’s only true “lark” species.

By all reports, the horned lark is classified as a “common bird in steep decline,” much like other ground-nesting birds. This decline is attributed to habitat loss, agricultural pesticides, early mowing or haying of fields and roadside ditches, urbanization, human encroachment, and, notably, collisions with wind turbines. Among the species most affected by the proliferation of wind turbines is the horned lark.

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The name “horned” comes from a set of black feathers on the sides of the bird’s head that resemble horns. The female also possesses them, though they are less pronounced. Both males and females are primarily pale brown and gray, with males sporting a bold black and yellow face. Females are much duller in appearance. They have a black tail, which aids in identifying the bird, particularly when it is flying away from you.

The female builds the nest by first creating a shallow depression in the ground. She then weaves a soft nest using dried grass. After mating, the female will lay 2-5 brown eggs with dark spots. They are among the earliest ground-nesting birds in the northern states. It is not uncommon for the pair to complete their first brood by the end of April. Consequently, in some years, the female may be covered in snow while incubating her eggs.

So, when my friend told me about the horned lark nest, I eagerly seized the opportunity to capture some images and video. We chose a cloudy day to ensure even lighting on the subject. It’s crucial not to disturb nesting birds or attract unwanted attention to the nest site. Using camouflage coverings to conceal ourselves and our camera gear also aids in this endeavor.

As we approached the nest, I ensured we stayed at a distance and used my longest lens. Employing a long lens is essential for capturing natural behaviors without disturbing the birds. The parents were busy gathering insects in the surrounding fields. While the adults searched for insects, the babies remained perfectly camouflaged and motionless in the nest.

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However, when one of the adults returns to the nest, in the blink of an eye, the babies pop up their heads, open their mouths wide, and begin begging to be fed. It was amazing to spend quality time with this nesting pair of horned larks and observe as they gather several insects in their bills and fly near the nest. They carefully scan the surroundings for any danger, and then the parents slowly approach the nest on foot. As soon as the adults reach the edge of the nest, the babies simultaneously pop up again, eagerly awaiting to be fed.

After hatching, the young stay in the nest for only about eight days before they leave and start walking around. The adults follow them and continue to feed them until they are able to fly. Even after they can fly, the male continues to feed them while the female builds a new nest, and the entire process starts over. Until next time …

Editor’s note: Stan Tekiela’s NatureSmart column appears twice a month in the Eden Prairie Local News. Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer who travels extensively across the United States to study and capture wildlife images.

You can follow his work on Instagram and Facebook. He can be contacted via his website at www.naturesmart.com.