Eurasian Skylark — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideEurasian Skylark

On the ground, note brown streaky plumage, distinct bushy crest, and broad, diffuse paler eyering.

Spot this species Read on Wikipedia

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilyLarks

SizeSmall

RarityCommon

Habitatgrassland, sparse woodland, open woodland, and herbaceous graminoids sparse hummock grasses

Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from August to January.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by David Darrell-Lambert

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

2066visible hotspots

82259visible records

3states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Chunkier than pipits, and does not habitually bob its rear end. In flight shows white sides to tail and narrow white trailing edge to wings. A denizen of open country, especially rough grassland, heathland, farmland, and airports.

Behavior

The prolonged warbling and trilling song is given in flight, often so far overhead that the bird appears as a speck, if you can even see it.

Gallery

Regional timing

South Australia

Peak: September to November6,804 records

Tasmania

Peak: August to January12,129 records

Victoria

Peak: August to January56,806 records

New South Wales

Peak: September to December4,832 records

Australian Capital Territory

Peak: October to January4,558 records

Commonly confused with

Singing BushlarkMirafra javanicaUnlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.→