The Eurasian Skylark is about 17–18 cm in length. It is the most widespread and familiar lark in the European region. The Eurasian Skylark is a medium-sized lark with a short crest (apparent only when crown feathers are raised), a relatively short bill, a thicker body, and a relatively long tail.
Seasonally and individually (as well as geographically) variable in upperpart coloration, ranging from specifically warm rusty brown in some fresh autumn individuals in Northern Europe to cool grayish-buff in some worn summer individuals from southeast of range.
A combination of heavily streaked plumage, lack of noticeable dark breast patches, comparatively short bill, weak pale supercilium, and conspicuous white outer tail feathers prevents confusion with other larks (except the vagrant Oriental Skylark). It rises suddenly when flushed, flying low before climbing and uttering distinctive calls. It habitually hovers temporarily before alighting.
When underway, flight undulating and progressing with more than a few flaps stall on relatively broad wings. The underwing grayish-white and upper wing show little contrast except for the narrow white trailing edge to the secondary’s (lacking in most other larks, including Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) and Wood Lark (Lullula arborea), which can vanish with wear.
On rising or hovering birds, the white outer tail feathers are noticeable, but not in level flight when the tail is closed. At times, this can imply other species, i.e. when hunched, the breast streaks habitually coalesce at neck sides to give the impression of a dark patch, and when crown feathers are fully raised, they can look quite crested, but bill shape, underwing color, and tail pattern should clinch the identification.
Eurasian Skylark is very sociable, forming large flocks at migration times and in winter when it mixes with various other larks, pipits, finches, and buntings to feed on stubbles. Not noticeable on the ground, feeding in a crouched posture, creeping forward as it feeds; runs well if alarmed.
The juvenile lark is heavily mottled with blackish and yellowish-buff above and scaled with whitish, much like an adult by the first autumn. Eurasian Skylark’s most frequent call is when flushed, a liquid, rattled ‘chirrrip’, which may be abbreviated or slightly prolonged; similar but more scratchy calls often follow.
Eurasian Skylark sings in vertically rising song flight, hovering at great height, while pouring out a sweet, varied, and tuneful song consisting of extended scratchy warbling and trilling phrases, interspersed with some mimicry and call notes, which drops either like a stone or in parachute fashion when the song finishes. The bird frequently sings from the ground.
The delineation of races is not clear, with complete intergradations between the seven races of our region (nominate illustrated). Overall, the color tones are variable, with the darkest and brownest birds in the north and west, grading to populations with grayish-brown or sandy-buff ground color in the south and east. Size also increases gradually towards the east. The most distinct is the dulcivox of Volga and Ural steppes, which is rather large and pale sandy-grey with a whitish ground color to the underparts.
The Eurasian Skylark is a common bird and is found in a variety of open grassy habitats, from coastal fields, dune slacks, steppes, and open cultivation to moorland and alpine pastures. It avoids arid countries, although it occurs in semi-arid cultivation in winter and also resorts to salt marshes and coastal beaches.
Related Reading: Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark
