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Trees- ShrubsSkylark (Alauda arvensis)
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Alauda arvensis is closely related to A. japonica (Japanese Skylark), A. gulgula (Oriental Skylark) and A. razae (Raso Skylark). The Skylark is a small, streaky brown coloured bird with a white-sided tail, and a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed (1). Skylarks have a distinctive appearance with angular, straight-edged wings with a white rear edge, which is visible in flight. In comparison to other larks it is rather large, approximately 20 cm in length. It is a social bird, living in flocks. Both sexes are alike in plumage, with the males being only slightly bigger (2).
Alauda arvensis is widespread but declining, not only in Greece but most of Europe, North Africa, and Asia due to intensive agriculture across these continents impacting upon their breeding grounds (3). Breeding Skylarks have a localised distribution in Greece and the total Greek population has been estimated in between 2,000 – 5,000 pairs. In Greece wintering flocks are present predominantly on the mainland rather than islands due to lack of suitable, open habitat (4).
Fast, rich, continuous outpouring calls chirruping ‘shrrup’, ‘trrup’ are performed from perch or in high, soaring flight. The call can be heard on RSPB website (1).
They live in flocks. In hard weather large flocks may be seen heading for shelter. When feeding the flock will move loosely and uncontrolled. In its song flight Alauda arvensis will rise vertically with constant flickering; it has a rising hover followed by a final steep plunge (3). Territorial aggression will be greatest during the breeding season.
It can be found foraging on the ground within grass, or on bare ground – eating seeds, shoots, grain and insects the Skylark is the classic lark of European farmland, heath-land, grassland, or heather moors (3).
Nests can be found between April and July on the ground in crops, grasses, and bushes. The nests contain three to five eggs and the Skylark can produce two to three broods a year. Once an adult, the mortality rate for Skylarks has been measured as 33.5% (2).
It is widespread across the whole of Europe, except for Iceland. Breeding Skylarks have a localised distribution in Greece. During the winter months, Skylarks are more widespread and common; becoming locally abundant (4).
In winter most northern and eastern European birds fly south in sizeable flocks for warmer climes.
Skylarks are omnivores and will eat seeds, shoots, grain, and a variety of insects. Among the invertebrates that they will eat are: earthworms, slugs, centipedes, millipedes, and beetles (2).
Falco tinnunculus (Eurasian Kestrel) have been known to prey upon Skylarks as well as other small Falco spp. but this is not common (5). Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) and Snakes are a great threat and are known to eat young and eggs due to the location of nests.
IUCN Red List = Least Concern (6)
Description written by Ross James (2009)
(1) RSPB (2009) Skylark [online] Available:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/skylark/index.asp [date accessed: 03/04/2009]
(2) Hyman. D. (1995) Alauda arvensis: Information [online] Available:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Alauda_arvensis.html [date accessed: 04/04/2009]
(3) Hume. R. (2002) Complete Birds of Britain and Europe, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London
(4) Handrinos. G., and Akriotis. T. (1997) The Birds of Greece, A & C Black, London
(5) Martínez-Padilla. J., and Fargallo. J. (2008) Fear in grasslands: the effect of Eurasian kestrels on Skylark abundances, Naturwissenschaften, 95(5): 391-398
(6) IUCN (2009) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [online] Available:
http://www.iucnredlist.org [date accessed: 04/04/2009]
