The family Alaudidae includes 2 species found in North America.

Larks. Most species of larks occur in Africa and Eurasia. The widespread Horned Lark has also colonized the New World. Larks are open country birds, often occurring in desert, semi-desert, rocky or grassy environments. Their plumages tend to match these backgrounds. Most are pale grayish, brownish or buffy above, paler below; often with streaks or black markings that disrupt the outline of the body. A few species are black or mostly so, some are crested. The sexes are alike.

Food is mainly seeds and insects. The nest is a shallow depression on the ground, usually lined with plant material, hair, etc., often with a rim of clods or pebbles; often in or under a grass clump or rock; some with partial domes. Eggs 2-5, variable, gray, greenish, pink, speckled with rufous/brown spots.