Horned Lark

There are many subspecies of Horned Lark in both the Old and New World populations. Separation of these in the field can be difficult. The presumed breeding subspecies in Alabama (mostly in the Tennessee Valley region but sparingly in the Mountain Region and Inland Coastal Plain) is E. a. praticola, though I don't believe this has been confirmed in hand for nesting birds. This individual was one of a pair of birds moving together at a traditional breeding site east of Calhoun College, and I suspect is of that subspecies; it shows the typical white supercilium and pale yellow (sometimes white) throat, whitish breast, and upperparts with only dull rufous coloration.