[TN-Bird] Horned Larks iced up!

Feb. 16, 2003
Lake Co. TN

On Saturday the temp was about 60 in the morning but at dusk I was standing 
out in a field being pelted with by a pouring icy rain. The landscape on 
Sunday morning was covered in sleet, snow and a lot of slick.

I had seen very few Lapland Longspurs on Saturday but suddenly Sunday they 
were everywhere. Flock after flock in every field and a busy bunch they were, 
scurrying about and not concerned how close you got as long as you moved 
slowly. The males are now strikingly beautiful against a back ground of snow.

In the mix were Horned Larks and as they flushed, I noted some would fly with 
their tails cocked at an odd downward angle. The tail would be cocked almost 
forward and flight looked strained. At first I thought it was some breeding 
flight display that I had never seen before but even single birds were doing 
it.

I got up close to one group and found that these birds were carrying ice 
balls on the tips of their tail. None of the Laps exhibited this flight 
pattern and of course if you watch these birds feeding you understand why. 

In the air, you can see the short tailed and pot bellied look of Laps which 
contrasts with the longer slimmer bodied, long tailed Horned Larks. When the 
birds land the Laps hunker down and hold their body nearly parallel to the 
ground and they feed in that position with their tail on the same plane. 
Horned Larks stand more erect. This is another good indicator of species 
because if a flock hits the ground and you can see most of the individuals 
then they are Horned Larks and if they disappear they are most likely Laps.

But there in lies the tale or tail. The upright Horned Lark's tail drags the 
ground and accumulates ice whereas the Laps get off without a load. I'm sure 
in deeper snow conditions the Laps suffer also but here shorter is better.


Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


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