Lark - description, habitat

By a field lark is meant a bird that grows a little more than a sparrow in terms of overall features. Larks are famous for their light voice, they sing beautifully and attract attention. In size, the birds grow to a maximum of 20 cm. This is with a body weight of 60–90 g. If you look at the birds from all sides, you can see that the head is massive in relation to the general body. The birds have short legs, but powerful and dimensional wings. Individuals fly very fast, there are practically no differences in gender.

View Features

It is difficult to compare the lark singing with other sounds, it is so memorable and unique. Birds are of a migratory type, they migrate to warm climatic zones, when in the habitat it becomes cold enough for a comfortable existence.

When the snow still lies, the birds arrive and signal to the person with their clear voice that the cold will soon pass and be replaced by a colorful spring. Birds always sing, even in flight. They quickly fly from place to place, and somewhere in the distance a beautiful trill is heard.

It was previously mentioned that these birds are migratory. At the end of winter or the beginning of spring, they return to their native expanses to their former places, where nests were built before. If the onset of spring is delayed, individuals linger briefly in the south for food and survival.

Habitat and Description

If the birds live in warm climatic regions, then they do not need to go for wintering to other places. But those individuals who live in cool areas are sure to move to heat for a certain period. They prefer to nest under bushes of wormwood, bluegrass or shaggy aster.

According to their overall features, the birds grow up to 20 cm with a maximum body weight of 90 g., As mentioned above. The individuals are very motley, beautiful, covered with brownish-ocher plumage with a sandy tint. The beak is curved, large, legs are short and strong.

By gender, the birds are almost no different from each other. They are similar in body color, size characteristics and behavior. Even experienced people sometimes cannot understand what kind of sex is in front of their eyes.

Lifestyle

1. These birds belong to those representatives of birds that are engaged in the construction of nests for future offspring with some delay. When everything turns green, the nest can be hidden securely. When the female is engaged in hatching eggs, the future father sings songs.
2. The male sings so beautifully that many artists and composers in particular tried to recreate it in their creations. Of course, they did not succeed, as the lark songs are unique.
3. The main feature is that the volume of singing directly depends on how high the bird has flown up. The higher the numbers, the more distinctly her song is heard. Since larks do not fly at the same height, their sounds constantly appear undulating. It is interesting that females practically do not rise in the sky.
4. Since the middle of summer, the singing of these beautiful birds can be heard less often. The thing is that individuals are engaged in the cultivation and education of offspring.When the younger generation grows stronger, larks begin to prepare a second clutch.
5. Field larks are very common in European countries. The name was due to the peculiarity of choosing a habitat, that is, individuals settle in the fields and meadows. They are often in open space.
6. Due to their small size, birds make enemies. Among the enemies, large birds are distinguished, such as hawks and crows. Also, snakes, ermines, and shrews prey on birds.

Nutrition

1. Often, the nutrition of the birds in question includes everything that they pick up from the ground. Birds often regale on insects and their larvae. Such food for birds is a favorite treat. It often happens that larks do not find their favorite food. In this case, they feed on last year's plant seeds.
2. Of the cereal plants, birds prefer wheat and oats. As for insects, larks are happy to enjoy beetles, locusts, ants, leaf beetles, and caterpillars. The considered individuals are very helpful to farmers, as they eat various pests that damage the agriculture.
3. Larks have very good digestion. This is due to the fact that the feeding time of the bird is specially swallowed small stones. During wintering, individuals find grains and all kinds of plant seeds under the snow.

Breeding

1. Before the onset of the cold season, the considered individuals try to migrate to warmer regions. However, the usual nesting places, such birds are in no hurry to leave. If climatic conditions allow the birds not to migrate, they begin to lead a sedentary lifestyle.
2. The considered individuals try to lead such a lifestyle, often in the Crimea and Europe. In other cases, larks migrate and return to their usual nesting sites in early spring. Often, snow can even lie in such areas.
3. In most cases, it is the males who fly first. After a few days, the females are pulled. Individuals that formed pairs after arrival jointly begin to build a nest. It is worth noting that larks equip their homes in such a way that they can hardly be seen in the wild.
4. At a time, the female is able to bring up to 5 eggs. At the same time, young growth begins to be born after only half a month. Chicks hatch with light plumage and are completely blind. However, the development of young growth is very fast. After just a month, the chicks take to the wing and lead a completely independent lifestyle.
5. Often these individuals try to build nests in tall grass or under bushes. Birds choose those places where the dwelling will be almost imperceptible. Often, nests of larks can be found under stones or even on horse manure.
6. At the same time, birds during the construction of the nest try to select those materials that will best merge with the environment. It is worth noting that the considered individuals have a very well-developed sense of conspiracy. In the nest itself, even eggs cannot always be seen. Due to the color, it is difficult to notice them.

Larks are of great benefit to agriculture. Farmers love the presented individuals because they destroy the seeds of unnecessary plants and all kinds of small pests. Larks feed on bugs and locusts. In addition, such birds have excellent singing. Sounds like this can really help people in difficult periods of life.

Video: Lark (Alauda arvensis)