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| − | [[Image:Eurasian Skylark2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br /> | + | [[Image:Eurasian Skylark2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Seaton Common, Seaton Carew, Cleveland, [[UK]]]] |
;[[:Category:Alauda|Alauda]] arvensis | ;[[:Category:Alauda|Alauda]] arvensis | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
18cm. | 18cm. | ||
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*White belly and undertail coverts | *White belly and undertail coverts | ||
*White supercilium | *White supercilium | ||
| + | [[Image:Skylark in flight.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|Mahsleb|Mahsleb}}<br /> [[Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve]], [[Essex]], [[UK]]]] | ||
*White outer tail feathers | *White outer tail feathers | ||
*Thin bill | *Thin bill | ||
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Breeds across most of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] and in the mountains of North [[Africa]]. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range, many birds move to lowlands and the coast in winter. Asian birds appear as vagrants in [[Alaska]]; this bird has also been introduced in [[Hawaii]] and near Vancouver, Washington. | Breeds across most of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] and in the mountains of North [[Africa]]. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range, many birds move to lowlands and the coast in winter. Asian birds appear as vagrants in [[Alaska]]; this bird has also been introduced in [[Hawaii]] and near Vancouver, Washington. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | |||
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
| + | [[Image:21391RV8P4191 meadow-pipit123.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|gaviao-real|gaviao-real}}<br />Maashorst, [[Netherlands]], August 2007]] | ||
| + | There are 13 subspecies: | ||
'''European Group''' | '''European Group''' | ||
*''A. a. arvensis'': | *''A. a. arvensis'': | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 8 October 2010
- Alauda arvensis
Identification
18cm.
- Brown above with streaked back
- Buff, dark streaked breast
- Streaked crown with crest
- White belly and undertail coverts
- White supercilium
- White outer tail feathers
- Thin bill
- Pink legs
Similar Species
For differences between Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit see this thread in Tips for New Birders Forum
Distribution
Breeds across most of Europe and Asia and in the mountains of North Africa. It is mainly resident in the west of its range, but eastern populations are more migratory, moving further south in winter. Even in the milder west of its range, many birds move to lowlands and the coast in winter. Asian birds appear as vagrants in Alaska; this bird has also been introduced in Hawaii and near Vancouver, Washington.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
There are 13 subspecies: European Group
- A. a. arvensis:
- A. a. scotica:
- Ireland, north-western England, Scotland and Faeroe Islands
- A. a. guillelmi:
- A. a. sierrae:
- A. a. harterti:
- Mountains of north-western Africa
- A. a. cantarella:
- A. a. armenica:
Asian Group
- A. a. dulcivox:
- South-eastern Russia to Yenisey basin and Afghanistan; >north-western India
- A. a. kiborti:
- A. a. intermedia:
- A. a. pekinensis:
- North-eastern Siberia to Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka Pen. and Kuril Islands
- A. a. lonnbergi:
- Shantar and Sakhalin islands (Sea of Okhotsk); >Japan
- A. a. japonica:
- Major islands in Japanese Archipelago; >Ryukyu Islands
Habitat
Breeds in open countryside, fields, moors, rough grazing and sand dunes, etc. Winters beside estuaries, on golf courses and cultivated land.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes seeds and insects.
Breeding
3-4 eggs are laid and incubated for 11-12 days; the young fledge 9-10 days later. There can be 2 broods.
Vocalisation
Song: is delivered from high in the sky.
<flashmp3>Alauda arvensis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- mbr-pwrc.usgs
- eNature
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Skylark. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Skylark
External Links
