Bird of the Week – Horned Lark
The Horned Lark, like last week’s American Pipit, is a bird that migrates to Alaska and northern Canada to breed in the high alpine tundra, above tree line. This is North America’s only native lark.
Horned Lark, Denali Highway, Spring 2011
If anything, Horned Larks breed at even higher, sketchier altitudes than American Pipits. This bird was near the top of Whistle Ridge, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. They succeed and prosper there, raising their young among the rocks, lichen and intermittent Dryas mat. Horned Larks don’t migrate quite as far south as American Pipits, although their winter ranges overlap. By the way, Horned Larks’ courtship song is lovely, among the nicest of Alaska’s birds. Well worth a climb to a scree-capped ridge.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
sweet
I used to have intermittent Dryas mat, but it’s cleared up now.
Another beautiful bird photo to start my Saturday. Tomorrow’s the People’s Climate March. Birds are among the species most affected by climate change, and one of the reasons I’m joining the march.