Alauda arvensis arvensis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Eurasian skylark
French : Alouette des champs

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Alaudidae
Notes : 6 other subspecies known

Identification
Body length reaching 19 cm for a length of 50 g. Short bill, small erectile crest. Plumage mostly brown with black streaks on back, wings and crest. Two white lines on face. Breast and belly white with beige tinge and black streaks.

Range and habitat
Europe and eastwards to Iran, southwards to North Africa, subspecies found in Azores and Europe from Wales to Norway, south to the Alps. Lives in open habitats (farmland, grassland, dunes, steppes, edges of marshes).

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : One of the most widespread bird species in Europe, still very common in many areas but in great declines because of loss of habitat in others.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Diergaarde Blijdorp (Netherlands), Private collections

 

Back to “Other passerine birds” page