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Horned Lark (Streaked)

Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)

Habitat: Prairie
Habitat Attribute: Large, open landscapes with low-saturated and sparse vegetation

Population Objectives (Ecoregions)
Puget Lowlands:

  • By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 252 birds by ≥50.8% to ≥380 birds (4.2% annual exponential growth), with ≥280 birds in ≥8 subpopulations, and another ≥100 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.

Willamette Valley (North):

  • By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 195 birds by ≥26.7% (2.4% annual exponential growth) to ≥247 birds, with ≥90 birds in ≥3 subpopulations, and another ≥157 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.

Willamette Valley (West):

  • By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 449 birds by ≥61.3% (4.9% annual exponential growth) to ≥724 birds, with ≥600 birds in ≥9 subpopulations, and another ≥124 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.

Willamette Valley (Southeast):

  • By 2030, increase the current estimated population of 456 birds by ≥61.2% (4.9% annual exponential increase) to ≥735 birds, with ≥600 birds in ≥9 subpopulations, and another ≥135 birds elsewhere throughout the ecoregion.

Habitat Objectives (Ecoregions)
Puget Lowlands:

  • By 2030, maintain ≥8 suitable habitat areas as described below that include ≤1,821 ha (4,500 ac).

Willamette Valley (North):

  • By 2030, maintain ≥3 suitable habitat areas as described below that include ≤209 ha (516 ac).

Willamette Valley (West):

  • By 2030, maintain ≥9 suitable habitat areas as described below that include ≤1,420 ha (3,509 ac).

Willamette Valley (Southeast):

  • By 2030, maintain ≥9 suitable habitat areas as described below that include ≤1,420 ha (3,509 ac).

Population and Habitat Objectives (Subregions)
Size, Number, and Distribution of Subpopulations and Habitat Areas by 2030:

Puget Lowlands:

  • ≥6 large subpopulations (i.e., >20 pairs) in <1,518 ha (3,750 ac)/subpopulation
  • ≥2 medium subpopulations (i.e., 10-20 pairs) in <303 ha (750 ac)/subpopulation

Willamette Valley (North):

  • ≥3 medium subpopulations (i.e., >15 pairs) in <209 ha (516 ac)/subpopulation

Willamette Valley (West):

  • ≥3 large subpopulations (i.e., >50 pairs) in <626 ha (1,548 ac)/subpopulation
  • ≥6 medium subpopulations (i.e., 25-50 pairs) in <794 ha (1,961 ac)/subpopulation

Willamette Valley (Southeast):

  • ≥3 large subpopulations (i.e., >50 pairs) in <626 ha (1,548 ac)/subpopulation
  • ≥6 medium subpopulations (i.e., 25-50 pairs) in <794 ha (1,961 ac)/subpopulation

All Ecoregions:

  • all of the habitat areas should be in secure conservation status (i.e., ownership or easements) and managed in ways compatible with suitable habitat
  • ≤10% of the subpopulation habitat areas should be hostile habitat (i.e., urban, residential, high density rural)

Population Objectives (Sites)
Target Densities in Suitable Habitat:

Puget Lowlands:

  • South: >0.03 birds/ha (>0.01 birds/ac)

Willamette Valley:

  • North: >0.03 birds/ha (>0.01 birds/ac)
  • South: >0.10 birds/ha (>0.04 birds/ac)

Habitat Objectives (Sites)
Open landscapes >35 ha (100 ac) dominated by herbaceous vegetation with all or part of the landscape in the following conditions:

  • bare ground >15% and patchily distributed
  • shrub cover <2%
  • canopy cover = 0%
  • >90% of the vegetation <0.3 m (13 in) tall in midMay
  • <1% of the landscape in tall herbaceous vegetation (i.e., >1.5 m [50 in] tall)

Cited Plan

Rockwell, S. M., J. L. Stephens, and B. Altman. 2022. Population and habitat objectives for landbirds in prairie, oak, and riparian habitats of western Oregon and Washington. Version 2.0. Prepared for Oregon-Washington Partners in Flight, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. Klamath Bird Observatory, Ashland, OR, and American Bird Conservancy, Corvallis, OR.