- Author
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Publication Year
- 2004
- Species
- Streaked horned lark
- Habitat
- Wet Prairie
- Topic
- Monitoring, Rare species recovery, Restoration & Management
The Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) is a sub-species of the Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) native to the oak prairies of the Pacific Northwest and is of considerable conservation concern. It has been extirpated as a breeding species throughout much of its range, including British Columbia, Canada, the San Juan Islands and northern Puget Sound region of Washington, and the Rogue Valley in Oregon and is most common in the central Willamette Valley. Currently, there are only six known breeding sites in the Puget Sound Region with at least 81 territories with an estimated 162 streaked horned larks. The breeding population in Oregon is estimated to include less than 300 birds. Loss of habitat, due to development, fire suppression and invasion of prairie habitat by invasive plants, has been identified as the greatest threat to the sub-species. Current laws and conservation regulations in Washington and Oregon inadequately protect the vital habitat of the Streaked Horned Lark.