Passeriformes Alaudidae Wood Lark (Lullula arborea)
[order] Passeriformes | [family] Alaudidae | [latin] Lullula arborea | [UK] Wood Lark | [FR] Alouette lulu | [DE] Heidelerche | [ES] TotovÃa | [IT] Tottavilla | [NL] Boomleeuwerik
Physical charateristics
Smaller and more slender than skylark and crested lark. Plumage buff brown, upperparts and chest streaked, distinguished from other larks by broad, white supercilium which continues to nape. Black-and-white pattern of alula (first digit of wing) feathers very conspicuous. Crown feathers can be raised to a small crest.
| wingspan min.: | 27 | cm | wingspan max.: | 30 | cm |
| size min.: | 14 | cm | size max.: | 15 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 12 | days | incubation max.: | 15 | days |
| fledging min.: | 10 | days | fledging max.: | 13 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 5 |
Distribution
Lullula arborea is a widespread breeder across much of Europe (except the far north),
which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population
is very large (>1,300,000 pairs), but underwent a large decline between 1970-1990.
Although declines continued in a few countries during 1990-2000, they abated across
most of Europe (the trend in Spain was unknown), and the species was stable overall.
Nevertheless, its population size remains far below the level that preceded its decline.
This lark inhabits north-western Africa and the Near East, but it essentially an European species, known from the Iberian Peninsula to Finland and from England to the Caucasus. It is wintering mainly in south-western Europe and the Mediterranean regions. It is breeding in open habitats with scattered trees and areas of short vegetation, in open oak (Quercus) or pine (Pinus) forest and young conifer plantings. The breeding population of the European Union is estimated at 1.3 millions of pairs, 90% of which inhabits the Iberian Peninsula. It is much fluctuating, according to available habitat and strength of winter conditions, but on the long-term it seems to be declining
which constitutes >75% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population
is very large (>1,300,000 pairs), but underwent a large decline between 1970-1990.
Although declines continued in a few countries during 1990-2000, they abated across
most of Europe (the trend in Spain was unknown), and the species was stable overall.
Nevertheless, its population size remains far below the level that preceded its decline.
This lark inhabits north-western Africa and the Near East, but it essentially an European species, known from the Iberian Peninsula to Finland and from England to the Caucasus. It is wintering mainly in south-western Europe and the Mediterranean regions. It is breeding in open habitats with scattered trees and areas of short vegetation, in open oak (Quercus) or pine (Pinus) forest and young conifer plantings. The breeding population of the European Union is estimated at 1.3 millions of pairs, 90% of which inhabits the Iberian Peninsula. It is much fluctuating, according to available habitat and strength of winter conditions, but on the long-term it seems to be declining
Listen to the sound of Wood Lark
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
Habitat
Requires habitat with short grass for feeding, higher vegetation for nesting, exposed trees or bushes as song-perches.
Avoids intensive agriculture, but often favours neglected or abandoned farmland. Habitat requirements on continent differ somewhat. In west, most characteristic are heathlands, low moors, rundown farmlands with ragwort or similar weeds, scrubby hillsides, thinly timbered parkland, outskirts of woods, and felled woodland. Burnt-over areas, open woods of birch or oak, golf courses, and sand-dunes with trees or shrubs also favoured. In central Europe, optimal habitat is dry warm open pine-heath, often with heather. In North Africa, occurs on stony hillsides with forests of cork oak and holm oak, and maquis or open woods at 600-1800 m, but in High Atlas up to 3000 m.
Avoids intensive agriculture, but often favours neglected or abandoned farmland. Habitat requirements on continent differ somewhat. In west, most characteristic are heathlands, low moors, rundown farmlands with ragwort or similar weeds, scrubby hillsides, thinly timbered parkland, outskirts of woods, and felled woodland. Burnt-over areas, open woods of birch or oak, golf courses, and sand-dunes with trees or shrubs also favoured. In central Europe, optimal habitat is dry warm open pine-heath, often with heather. In North Africa, occurs on stony hillsides with forests of cork oak and holm oak, and maquis or open woods at 600-1800 m, but in High Atlas up to 3000 m.
Foraging habits
In breeding season the wood lark feeds on largely medium-sized insects and spiders. Outside the breeding season mostly seeds. Food brought to young, was collected from ground surface, uppermost layer of soil, and from low parts of plants. Feeding bird bustles about swiftly, pecking among plants and in earth. Rubs caterpillars repeatedly against ground. Most seeds swallowed complete with husks, but is able to remove husk by beating the seeds to the ground.
copyright J. Rochefort
Breeding habits
Monogamous. Breeds March through June; cup-shaped nest built by female. Two, sometimes three broods annually; clutch size normally three to five eggs, female incubates for 11-15 days. Young fed by both parents, leave nest after eight days before being able to fly. If female starts incubation of second brood, male cares for young of first clutch alone.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 2,500,000-6,500,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified; there is evidence of a population decline (Snow and Perrins 1998), but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (source Birdlife.org)
Migration
Migratory in northern half of breeding range, partially so in central Europe and southern FSU, but mainly resident in maritime climate of western Europe and in Mediterranean basin (including North Africa). Winters within southern half of breeding range, or a little beyond it into Egypt and northern Middle East. Less conspicuous as a migrant than many other larks, since seldom forms large and compact flocks for diurnal passage.
Distribution map breeding season
Distribution map wintering season
Literature
Title Abundance of Four Lark Species in Relation
to Portuguese Farming Systems
to Portuguese Farming Systems
Author(s): C. Stoate, R. Borralho, M. Araújo
Abstract: Throughout much of Europe, farmland birds have dec..[more]..
Source: ORNIS HUNGARICA 12-13: 1-2 (2003)
Title How perception and density-dependence affect breeding Woodlarks Lullula arborea
Author(s): J. W. MALLORD, P. M. DOLMAN, A. F. BROWN & W. J. SUTHERLAND
Abstract: There is often a perceived conflict between allowi..[more]..
Source: Ibis 149 (s1), 15-15
Title Open-habitat birds in recently burned areas: the role of the fire extent and species’ habitat breadth
Author(s): Pere PONS and Josep M. BAS
Abstract: Single burned areas contained 0 to 15 open-habitat..[more]..
Source: Ardeola, 52(1), June 2005, 119-131