Wide open spaces generally surround these sparrow-sized, ground dwelling birds. The upperparts are mostly brownish and the underparts are generally buffy with varying amounts of yellow on the throat. There is black on the breast and side of the head, but the most unique features are small black "horns." Females and immature birds are duller. Interesting behavior includes aerial displays and "flight songs" during courtship, and the propensity to forage and loaf along dirt and gravel roads.

In western Oregon, it breeds in small, scattered populations throughout the Willamette Valley, with concentrations in the central valley on and near Basket Slough National Wildlife Area and in the Waldo Hills area east of Salem. In eastern Oregon, Streaked horned larks are found in disjunct populations centered on patches of suitable habitat.

Migrant and wintering birds are present throughout the breeding range in Oregon except not above timberline in winter.

Note that the Western meadowlark, Oregon's State Bird, is of the Family Icteridae and is related to the blackbird, grackle and oriole.

Streaked horned larks are an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Willamette ecoregion. 

Hear the song of the Streaked horned lark

Photo by Simon Wray, ODFW