Eurasian Skylark

1 Eurasian Skylark Breed Overview

The Eurasian Skylark has about 75 species worldwide, mainly distributed in the Old World, with only the horned lark native to the New World. The skylark’s beak varies greatly in form depending on the species.

The skylark is a famous songbird, featured in many literary and musical works, and is also the brand name of a C-class race car in the online game QQ Speed.

Chinese name: Skylark

Chinese aliases: Alan’er, Ajiu, Bailing, Chaotianzhu, Daliu, Gaotianniao, Gaotianzi, Tianliu, Xiaobailing

English name: Eurasian Skylark

Binomial name: Alauda gulgula

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Alaudidae

Genus: Alauda

Species: Eurasian Skylark

Distribution: Transbaikalia, Korea, Japan, and northern China

2 Eurasian Skylark Physical Characteristics

The skylark is a medium-sized bird, about 18 cm in length, with relatively long claws, and some skylarks have very straight claws. Their plumage is earth-colored, some plain and some striped, and the male and female look similar.

The skylark is a type of songbird. There are about 75 species worldwide, mainly distributed in the Old World, with only the horned lark native to the New World. The skylark’s beak varies greatly in form depending on the species: some are small and conical, while others are long and curve downward.

The crest and raised feather crown have fine streaks, the tail is forked with white edges, and the white trailing edge of the wing is visible in flight. It differs from pipits in its shorter tail and legs, its crest, and a less upright posture. It is easily confused with the Japanese skylark. It is larger than the Oriental skylark, with whiter trailing wing edges and a different call. When it flies to a certain height it hovers briefly, then shoots upward into the clouds, hence its name. Appearance: iris — dark brown; bill — horn-colored; legs — flesh-colored.

3 Eurasian Skylark Living Environment

The skylark’s appearance is somewhat similar to a sparrow, and so is its living environment. The skylark is known for its lively, sweet song: it sings while hovering and flying high, then makes a spectacular dive back down to covered ground.

In the wild, skylarks mainly inhabit grasslands, dry plains, mudflats, and marshes. Their normal flight is undulating. They crouch when alert. A pet skylark can be kept in a cage with a cover that lets in a little light — note that it should let light through but not be see-through. Apart from adding food and water, try not to disturb it; after about a week, gradually raise the cover over about a week until it is removed, without startling the bird, so it slowly adapts to its surroundings.

4 Eurasian Skylark Care Tips

The skylark’s breeding season is usually between April and August each year. Unlike other sparrows, it differs in nest building: most birds like to build nests in trees, while the skylark usually builds its nest on the ground.

The skylark lays 3–5 eggs per clutch, with an incubation period of 10–12 days. The fledging period is 8–10 days, but the young still depend on their parents for feeding for another 1–2 weeks. The skylark has a high, sweet voice. During courtship, the male sings beautiful songs while flying in the air, or flaps its wings loudly, to attract the female’s attention. The song is a continuous string of trills and warbles uttered while flapping wings high in the air. When alarmed, it gives varied squeaking calls.

5 Eurasian Skylark Feeding Guidelines

For a pet skylark at home, you can choose to feed chick feed, plant seeds, insects, and so on. Follow the principle of small, frequent meals when keeping a skylark, and in its juvenile stage the feed should be as mushy as possible for easy digestion.

Generally, they do not eat at night. As they grow, when adding live food, do not give them only insects, as this easily causes them to get ‘heated’ (internal imbalance); mix it in. When feeding, remember to call to them so they learn that this sound means it is time to eat. Pay attention to whether their droppings are wet or dry. As long as you care attentively, they are not particularly delicate; even once they can feed themselves, interact with them often so they do not forget you. Watching their daily changes is very rewarding.