Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758

15–19 cmLength35 cmWingspan37 gWeight

It is plain in appearance, and the male hovers high in the air while singing continuously for two or three minutes.

Busiest months: April–May and October · Most records: United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand

Looks like Oriental Skylark

Least Concern

How to identify

Field marks

Short crest on the crown, raised when alarmed
Sandy-rufous or buff upperparts with blackish-brown streaks
Rufous-white breast densely marked with blackish-brown, and white belly
White edges to the tail and trailing edge of the wing, visible as it flies away

Male, female and young

Sexes similar in plumage.

Voice

Long, continuous, clear warbling, like bubbling water.

Similar species

Oriental Skylark

Eurasian Skylark is larger than Oriental Skylark, with a whiter trailing edge to the wing and a different call.

Where and when it's recorded

Eurasian Skylark has been recorded at 1,960 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 87 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

Western Treatment PlantAustralia6,936 records
Titchwell Marsh RSPB ReserveUnited Kingdom3,693 records
Wanstead FlatsUnited Kingdom2,624 records

More places

Spurn Bird Observatory Recording AreaUnited Kingdom2,614 records
Lezíria Grande de Vila Franca de Xira – área geralPortugal2,499 records
Frampton Marsh RSPB ReserveUnited Kingdom2,288 records
Bempton Cliffs RSPB ReserveUnited Kingdom2,208 records
Cley & Salthouse Marshes NWT NR – Cley Marshes including Hides and Visitor CentreUnited Kingdom2,199 records
Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, SSSI and LNRUnited Kingdom2,147 records
East Tilbury River and MarshesUnited Kingdom1,983 records

Countries and regions with the most records

United Kingdom Spain New Zealand Australia Portugal Germany Sweden China

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis), commonly referred to in Europe as the lark, is a passerine bird in the lark family, Alaudidae. It is a widespread species found across Europe and the Palearctic with introduced populations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and on the Hawaiian Islands. It is a bird of open farmland and heath, known for the song of the male, which is delivered in hovering flight from heights of 50 to 100 metres (160 to 330 ft).

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Eurasian Skylark?

The Eurasian Skylark is about 15–19 cm long, with a wingspan of 35 cm and weighs around 37 g.

Where does the Eurasian Skylark live?

Its breeding range: Palearctic: widespread. It is most often recorded in United Kingdom, Spain and New Zealand.

When is the best time to see the Eurasian Skylark?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in April, May and October (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the Eurasian Skylark endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Eurasian Skylark as Least Concern.

What does the Eurasian Skylark eat?

Main food: Omnivore.

What family is the Eurasian Skylark in?

It belongs to the family Larks (Alaudidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Length: 15–19 cm
Wingspan: 35 cm
Weight: 37 g
Habitat: Grassland
Diet: Omnivore
Lifestyle: Active on the ground
Migration: Partial migrant
Conservation: Least Concern

More measurements

Wing: 107 mm
Tail: 68 mm
Bill: 15 mm
Tarsus: 24 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Palearctic: widespread

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Subspecies · 4

Alauda arvensis dulcivox se European Russia and w Siberia to nw China and sw Mongolia
Alauda arvensis kiborti s Siberia, n, e Mongolia and ne China | non-breeding: to China
Alauda arvensis intermedia nc Siberia to ne China and Korean Pen. | non-breeding: to e, se Asia
Alauda arvensis pekinensis ne Siberia, Kamchatka Pen. and Kuril Is. | non-breeding: to Japan and e China