Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)

The streaked horned lark is a subspecies of the horned lark that used to be found extensively in the Pacific Northwest in the US and Canada, but due to extensive habitat loss, is now found mostly in the lowlands near Puget Sound, the islands and shoreline of the lower Columbia River and the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

It is classified as Threatened under the ESA. The estimate is about 1000-1500 individuals total.

My shots of this bird are from Broughton Beach on the Columbia River adjacent to Portland Airport (PDX). The "horns" are not evident on this bird, so I am not sure if this is perhaps a juvenile.

Thanks for looking!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LcZG​5s

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LcZG​tJ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LcZG​zL

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/LcZG​nS

The one on the bottom is a juvenile. The others look like adults. The 'horns' are mostly raised during the breeding season, and sometimes during threatening display.

Thanks for the info! I was meaning to do some more reading on the species. I'm just glad I was able to see them at a city Beach!

I love Horned larks. I live on a farm and in winter they are one of the most common birds feeding on the seed I throw out on the ground.

well done Sam, awesome detail