The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public input on a draft periodic status review for the streaked horned lark that includes a recommendation to keep larks classified as a state endangered species. The public comment period is open through Aug. 11.

The streaked horned lark is a rare subspecies of horned lark found in western Washington and Oregon. In Washington, streaked horned larks were once more common and widespread but have become increasingly rare as their habitat declined in quantity and quality. It can now only be found in a few large open grasslands and sparsely vegetated areas, including airports, Puget prairies, lower Columbia River islands, and sandy coastal beaches.

Despite conservation gains at specific sites like Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the streaked horned lark remains seriously threatened with extinction in Washington.

“While recovery efforts like habitat protection and best management practices have stabilized or improved specific local populations, range-wide trends remain concerning—particularly, declining population growth rates of female streaked horned larks in the South Puget Lowlands,” said Christa LeGrande, WDFW’s streaked horned lark species lead.

“Streaked horned larks face significant ongoing threats in Washington, including habitat loss and encroachment, risks associated with small population sizes, predation, nest disturbance, human activities, and pesticides, increasing the risk of extinction in Washington,” said LeGrande. “For these reasons, we recommend that the streaked horned lark remain classified as endangered in Washington.”

The draft periodic status review for streaked horned lark is available on WDFW’s website. The public may submit written comments via email or by mail to Taylor Cotten, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,

P.O. Box 43141, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.

Following the public comment period, WDFW staff will brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission on the periodic status review and recommendation. The Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider this topic in August 2026.

WDFW regularly analyzes and reviews information to inform status and classification recommendations for species listed as endangered, threatened, or sensitive in Washington. More information is available on WDFW’s at-risk species webpage.