Eurasian skylark

A spring bird loved around the world.

Scientific name	Alauda arvensi
English name	Eurasian skylark
Japanese name	雲雀
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Alaudidae
Genus	Alauda
Species	arvensi
Full length	17cm
Distribution	Africa, Eurasia.

Eurasian skylark Characteristics and Morphology

A bunting-sized bird, about 17cm long, with brownish plumage overall. Males and females are mostly the same color.
Sometimes raises its crest on its head. It has a white supercilium. The cheeks are a darker shade of brown. The beak is slightly thinner than that of a bunting, and is flesh-colored and lead-gray. The iris is black. The back is a mix of brown and light brown. The neck has a mottled pattern. The belly is white to light brown. The tail feathers are V-shaped and blackish-brown. The legs are flesh-colored.

Song

Sings "pichii pichii pichii" in a high, continuous voice. When hovering, it may continue to sing for more than a minute.

Eurasian skylark Ecology

Habitat

Inhabits riverbeds and grasslands. The decrease in grasslands suitable for breeding has reduced its habitat in some areas.

Food

Eats plant seeds and insects.

Life Cycle

Nests are built on the ground. During the breeding season, they act in pairs.

Eurasian skylark Photos

Eurasian skylark Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

Hovering while flapping its wings quickly.

A color that blends well with the riverbed.

Eurasian skylark Behavior

Skylarking

It flies high into the sky while singing and hovers for a while (this behavior is called "skylarking"). This behavior is thought to be a declaration of the male's territory. It often hides in bushes.

Eurasian skylark Information

Naming

The scientific name "arvensis" means "of the cultivated field," which is related to the fact that this bird is often seen in cultivated fields. In some regions, it has other names such as "Kōtenshi."

Eurasian skylark Found Locations

Tama Ōhashi Bridge

I took this photo on the riverbed near the Tama Ōhashi Bridge in the middle reaches of the Tama River. Several pairs were in the riverbed, singing vigorously. Every few minutes, a male would start hovering and fly high into the sky. It continued to rise for more than a minute. I think it has amazing stamina.
Nearby, I saw birds that make their homes in the riverbed, such as Little Ringed Plovers, birds that live in reed beds such as Oriental Reed Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas, and Eurasian Kestrels that threaten them. It's interesting that Zitting Cisticolas, Skylarks, and Eurasian Kestrels, which live in the same riverbed, all hover.