Birds Guide

Alauda
Skylark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia   Phylum: Chordata   Class: Aves   Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae   Genus: Alauda Linnaeus, 1758
Species
A. arvensis A. japonica A. gulgula A. razae

Alauda is a genus of larks with three widespread species found across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa, and one endemic to the island of Razo in the Cape Verde Islands.

These are 14-18 cm long birds of cultivation, heath, natural steppe and other open habitats. Their often characteristic songs are delivered in flight.

These are undistinguished looking birds on the ground, mainly streaked brown above and pale below, and with a short blunt erectile crest. In flight, they show a short tail and short broad wings. The tail and the rear edge of the wings are edged with white.

The nest is on the ground in tufts of grass, with 3-6 eggs being laid. They eat seeds supplemented with insects in the breeding season, and form flocks when hot breeding.

Species

• Skylark, Alauda arvensis
  Japanese Skylark, Alauda japonica
  Oriental Skylark, Alauda gulgula
  Raso Skylark, Alauda razae