Weekly Bird Identification Quiz
December 29, 2009 - January 10, 2010
How to Identify:
The first thing to notice about this photo is the habitat. The bird is sitting on a corn stalk which immediately rules out most species. Many of the common species in agricultural areas do not match up with this bird. It is pretty obvious that this is not a Rock Pigeon or European Starling, the most common species in farm country. Because of the small size of the bird the only options for this bird are longspurs and sparrows. Without any streaking at all most sparrows that would be in an agricultural area are eliminated. The white belly and light brown back as well as the black arch on the head identify it as a Horned Lark.
Answer: Horned Lark
Photo Location: Boone County, IN
Photo Date: December 2009
Correct Answers:
Landon Neumann, Logansport, IN
Robb Clifford, Greenville, OH
Catherine Ripma, Zionsville, IN
Bill Murphy, Fishers, IN
Eamon Corbett, Pelham, NY
John Mueller, Avon, IN
James Fox, Farmington Hills, MI
Other Answers:
Dark-eyed Junco - 1