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Sky Lark

Alauda arvensisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Larks (Alaudidae)

Breeding Location:

Grasslands



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Accidental in winter on Pacific Coast



Egg Color:

Light gray with olive or brown blotches



Number of Eggs:

3 - 7



Incubation Days:

11 - 12



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grasses., Lined with roots, grass and occasionally hair.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Sky Lark: Medium lark (pekinensis), dark-streaked, brown upperparts and white underparts with streaks on breast, sides. The head has indistinct crest and white eyebrows. Tail is dark with white edges. Forages on ground by walking and running. Feeds mostly on seeds, grains, and insects.

Range and Habitat

Sky Lark: Common in Hawaii; accidental during winter on Pacific coast to northern California. Siberian race occurs rarely during migration on Aleutians. Preferred habitats include farmlands, moors, salt marsh, heaths, upland pastures, and industrial waste grounds.

Breeding and Nesting

Sky Lark: Three to seven light gray eggs with brown or olive blotches are laid in a nest lined with roots, grass, and hair, and built on the ground in an open field. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Sky Lark: Eats mostly seeds and insects; forages while walking or running on the ground.

Vocalization

Sky Lark: Song is loud and continuous, and most often sung while rising vertically into the air. Call is gurgling, bubbly "cherrup."

Similar Species

Sky Lark: Horned Lark has white spots and streaks on upperparts, and lacks white trailing edge on secondaries. American Pipit has gray upperparts, buff underparts with brown streaks, and lacks crest and white secondary tips.

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Family Larks (Alaudidae)_blue
Species Alauda arvensis
Length6.25 - 7.25 Inches
Wingspan13 Inches

Sky Lark

Sky Lark: Medium lark (pekinensis), dark-streaked, brown upperparts and white underparts with streaks on breast, sides. The head has indistinct crest and white eyebrows. Tail is dark with white edges. Forages on ground by walking and running. Feeds mostly on seeds, grains, and insects.

● Song: "cherrup"

● Foraging & Feeding: Sky Lark: Eats mostly seeds and insects; forages while walking or running on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Sky Lark: Three to seven light gray eggs with brown or olive blotches are laid in a nest lined with roots, grass, and hair, and built on the ground in an open field. Incubation ranges from 11 to 12 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Sky Lark: Horned Lark has white spots and streaks on upperparts, and lacks white trailing edge on secondaries. American Pipit has gray upperparts, buff underparts with brown streaks, and lacks crest and white secondary tips.

Flight Pattern

Moderately swift flight with rapid wing beats. Hovers while skylarking in territory at great heights, then glides to ground.
Sky Lark (pekinensis) Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Sky Lark: Common in Hawaii; accidental during winter on Pacific coast to northern California. Siberian race occurs rarely during migration on Aleutians. Preferred habitats include farmlands, moors, salt marsh, heaths, upland pastures, and industrial waste grounds.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationAccidental in winter on Pacific Coast
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight1.5 Ounces