Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensis

The Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a passerine bird, a member of the lark family Alaudidae. It is a bird of open landscapes such as farmland and heath, distinguished by its streaked greyish-brown plumage above and on the breast, with a buff-white belly. Both sexes are similar in appearance, and the species is noted for the male's soaring song delivered during flight.

Identification Tips

This species measures 18–19 cm in length and exhibits a short, blunt crest on its head, which can be raised or lowered. In flight, the Eurasian skylark reveals a short tail and broad wings with white edges visible when the bird is flying away. The male's wings are broader than the female's, an adaptation linked to their prolonged hovering during courtship displays.

Habitat

Eurasian skylarks favor open farmland and heathland, where they can be seen walking along the ground, foraging for food.

Distribution

The Eurasian skylark is found across Europe and the Palearctic. It is mainly resident in the western part of its range, but eastern populations are migratory, moving south in winter. The species has also been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Behaviour

The skylark is known for its remarkable hovering flight and song. The male's song is a bubbling warble, often lasting two to three minutes, and can be heard when the bird ascends to heights of 50 to 100 meters.

Song & Calls

The male Eurasian skylark's song is a clear, melodious warble, performed during a high, hovering flight. The song can last for extended periods, especially later in the mating season.

Breeding

The female constructs an open nest on the ground, laying three to five eggs. Both parents feed the chicks, which leave the nest after eight to ten days, achieving flight at 18 to 20 days old. Multiple broods may be raised in a single season.

Similar Species

The Eurasian skylark can be confused with other lark species, but its distinctive flight and song, as well as the white edges on the tail and wings, aid in identification.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of insects and plant material, with seeds and young leaves consumed without husk removal. Insects are particularly important during the summer months.

Conservation status

The Eurasian skylark is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, numbers have declined in some areas due to changes in agricultural practices. Conservation efforts are underway in various regions to improve habitat conditions for this species.

Eurasian Skylark Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Eurasian Skylark Fun Facts

Did you know?
The Eurasian Skylark is the national bird of Denmark

Eurasian Skylarks on Birda

Sightings

More Larks

A photo of a Greater Hoopoe-Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)

Greater Hoopoe-Lark

Alaemon alaudipes
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.