Oriental Skylark
Alauda gulgula
Chunky brown songbird with a weak crest, typically found on the ground in open fields and meadows. Darker above than below, with fine black streaking on the chest and light chestnut ear coverts with dark border. Very similar to Eurasian Skylark, with which it shares much of its range, but Oriental has buffy, not white, outer tail edges and trailing edge of wing. Breeding males “skylark,” singing a series of variable notes while hovering high above the territory.
Identification
Oriental skylarks are about 16 cm (6.3 in) long. They have streaked, yellow-brown upper plumage, with white outer tail feathers and a short crest. Both sexes are similar.<p>The Oriental skylark differs from the Eurasian skylark in several aspects. It is a smaller size, with a longer, more pointed bill. The outer tail feathers are more buff, and it lacks the white trailing edge during flight.
Taxonomy
The Oriental skylark was described by the English soldier and naturalist James Franklin in 1831 and given the binomial name Alauda gulgula. The meaning of the specific epithet gulgula is uncertain but is perhaps a reference to the song as gula is Latin for "throat" or may be the color of the "gulgula" or a sweet which looks like doughnut made in many parts of Central India.<p>Other alternate names for the Oriental skylark include eastern skylark, Indian skylark and lesser skylark.<p>Thirteen subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Alauda gulgula
- Authority
- Franklin, 1831
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Alauda
Range and habitat
This lark breeds across the Sino-Indian region and parts of central Asia. It winters in the southern parts of its range. <p>It is usually found in open areas with short vegetation, such as grasslands, marshes, the edges of lakes, etc. It feeds on seeds and insects. It avoids forested areas, though it may be found in large forest clearings.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
These skylarks frequently rocket up into the sky, fluttering and singing before descending down to earth. Male Oriental skylarks may also hover in the air and sing, in order to attract a mate.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ashy Starling
Lamprotornis unicolor
An unusual slim brownish-gray starling with a long, narrow tail. The eye is pale, and there is a greenish gloss on the back and tail in fresh plumage. A Tanzanian endemic that is found in moderately moist savanna and woodland, usually in small flocks, often feeding on the ground. Rüppell’s Starling also has a long tail, but Ashy is easily separated by being gray rather than glossy blue-black. Makes quiet mewing, rasping, and chattering calls.
Ochraceous Wren
Troglodytes ochraceus
Tiny short-tailed wren, plain warm brown with brighter buffy face and bold buffy eyebrow. Found in highland forests, where it can be seen sneaking up tree trunks and through vine tangles in search of insects. Often follows mixed feeding flocks. Similar to House Wren, but note warmer color and eyebrow. Listen for song, a high-pitched musical jumble of tinkling notes and short trills.
Sinai Rosefinch
Carpodacus synoicus
A small and long-tailed, small-billed finch. Virtually unstreaked. Male has a pink face and breast with a whitish forehead and crown. Female is pale gray-brown overall with a whitish belly. Lives in deep desert canyons. Resident or locally nomadic. Often flies long distances to water sources. Its rarely-heard song is a quick series of 6–7 metallic “Tzi-tzi-tzi-tzi-tzi-tzi” notes. Flight call a metallic “Tziup.”
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