Eurasian skylark / Feldlerche (Alauda arvensis)

Feldlerche. 2026-05-23 08:46:34 Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge

Observations

First documented observation: 2022-06-25 in Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge. Most recent observation: 2026-05-23 in Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge.

Description

Classification: Genus Alauda (Alauda); Family Larks (Alaudidae)
Geography: This bird appears across the great seas in the following continents: Europe, North America (introduced), Africa, Australia.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast RL 3
Good to know: Aus dem Kurzjahresbericht BirdLife Schweiz 2022: Die Feldlerche, Vogel des Jahres 2022..., ist eihne dieser bredrohten Arten, welche durch die Industrialisierung der Landwirtschaft ausgerottet wird. [Link]
Appearance and identification: Somewhat like a house sparrow but 18-19 cm long, not 14-15, kleiner als Star. Ruffled head feathers. NABU says streaks on breast contrast with white belly. [Link]
Geography: Introduced population in North America is gradually declining. [Link]
Habitat: Stark gefährdet durch Verlust von geeignetem Lebensraum. Eine Massnahme ist die Erstellung von Lerchenfenstern auf den Feldern - eine kleine Fläche mitten im Feld, die nicht bepflanzt oder gemäht wird. So was sieht man bei uns, z.B. zwischen Freudwil und Gutenswil, wobei ich nicht genau weiss, ob Feldlerchen das Ziel davon sind. Die Infos habe ich vom FOK Kurs 2021-2022 von Christina Ebneter.

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 08-18
Migration in: 02-01 - 04-01
Migration out: 09-17 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=18-19 cm, wingspan=30-36 cm, weight=26-50 g
Habitats: Agricultural

Vocalisation

Song: Fast chirpy improvization without a break, not very high, reminds me of a nightingale or a Eurasian reed warbler/Teichrohrsänger with the exact rhythm, but most likely sung in a cornfield. Or a Singdrossel that repeats its elements longer that that guy. Repeats elements 1-8 times. Sometimes buzzy/trilly. Can go on for minutes at a time. Ich habe es auch mit einem Amsel verwechselt, da er lang und melodisch, fast wie Amsel aber hört nicht auf.
Song: Song a pleasing energetic stream of chirping, merry trills, interspersed with mimicry. Trills quite resonant with fairly full tone. Song usually given in flight high in the air. Less characteristic, shorter, weaker and more varied song when given from ground. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: sings 30 seconds or longer, slow, Frequency: 2-6 KHz Special sounds: mimicry
XC685846 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - song, recorded in France. France ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC685846 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - song, recorded in France.mp3 (song)


Calls: Most typical flight call a short trilling "chirrup", with the end note noticeably lower pitched than the start. Also several other more cryptic calls. [Link] This quickly-written call archetype may need review/enhancement.

♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC772869 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - flight call.mp3 (flight call)

XC772869 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - flight call.

XC772869 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - flight call. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC772869 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis - flight call.mp3 (flight call)

XC946652 - Eurasian Skylark one-note swooping flight call - Alauda arvensis.

XC946652 - Eurasian Skylark one-note swooping flight call - Alauda arvensis. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC946652 - Eurasian Skylark one-note swooping flight call - Alauda arvensis.mp3 (flight call)


Call attributes: flight call Frequency: ,