Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis

Features

The Eurasian skylarks do not migrate, but will exceptionally, in the event of severe cold, withdraw into places without snow. The Eurasian skylarks that live in Slovenia are in the winter joined by those skylarks that have nested in the north of Europe. They live in open cultivated landscape, in fields and meadows.

Species	Bird
Living space	Field, Meadow
Size	18 - 19 cm
Weight	17 - 55 g

Description

The Eurasian skylarks are dirty-white on the abdomen, and on the back they are greyish-brown with distinct longitudinal stripes. These stripes also reach their ochre breasts and hips. Their tails have a distinct white outer edge. Most often we hear the Eurasian skylarks rather than see them. The males are tireless singers, often singing as they slowly rise and eventually stop at more than 100 m; then they sing while hovering in place. As they fly down again, they go silent a few meters above the ground, fold their wings and fall like a stone to the ground. In the summer half-year, they feed on insects and other terrestrial invertebrates, whereas in the winter half-year they mainly feed on seeds. In autumn, the Eurasian skylarks like gathering in large flocks, hanging out on harvested fields and flying from stubble to stubble.