(left, center) male adult winter Lapland Longspur (center rear and right) Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris utahensis) subspecies resident in Idaho. Note: yellowish throat and eyebrow stripe (though duller than throat), pinkish pale buffy nape, extending around wrist (bend of wing) to sides and upper chest, and also the lack of strong markings on a plain dusky back.
(left center) Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris hoyti) Winter visitor to Idaho recognized by pale yellow throat and white eyebrow stripe. Note also that on this bird (not on all) the breast has a very faint yellow tint. (right center) Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris articola ) Winter visitor to Idaho and largest western ssp., often noticeably,if ever so slightly, larger (plumper) in comparison to other spp. Note heavy, dark streaking on back and crown, with white eyebrow and throat (no hint of any yellow).
(left) Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris hoyti) Note the lack of head striping in comparison to the bird to right (E.a.articola) which has uniform bold head and back striping and coloration on a pale grayish base bisected by a distinctly offset buffy nape [the illust. in Sibley of this ssp. is misleading]. Also note the plump appearance of E.a.articola.
Horned Lark (Eremophilia alpestris utahensis) Idaho resident, although often outnumbered in winter by other ssp. Note yellowish eyebrow and chin and throat. Also rich buff around to nape. Upperparts blend together in a basal grayish-brown, with no bold, dark striping on either back or head. (Back of bird visible in lower right is of this spp.)
