Horned larks are small, long-bodied songbirds that usually adopt a horizontal posture. They have short, thin bills, short necks, and rounded heads. The shape sometimes broken by two small "horns" of feathers sticking up toward the back of the head. Male horned larks are sandy to rusty brown above, with a black chest band, a curving black mask, and head stripes that extend to the back of the head. The face and throat are either yellow or white. Females have similar head and breast patterns but are less crisply defined.