Field Lark - description, habitat

By field lark is meant a bird, which, by its dimensional features, grows a little more than a sparrow. Larks are famous for their light voice, they sing beautifully and attract attention. In size, the birds grow up to a maximum of 20 cm, this is with a body mass in the range of 60-90 grams. If you look at the birds from all sides, you can see that the head is massive in relation to the general body. Birds have short legs, but powerful and overall wings. Individuals fly very quickly, there is practically no difference in gender.

Features of the form

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

When the snow is still lying, the birds arrive and signal to the person with their sonorous 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 you can hear a beautiful trill.

It has already been mentioned that these birds are migratory. At the end of winter or early spring, they return to their native spaces to their former places, where they had previously built nests. If the onset of spring is delayed, the individuals linger briefly in the south for subsistence and survival.

Habitat and description

If the birds live in warm climatic regions, then they do not need to go to winter to other lands. But those individuals who live in cool areas, necessarily move to heat for a certain period. Nesting is preferred under the bushes of wormwood, bluegrass or shaggy asters.

In terms of their dimensional features, the birds grow to 20 cm with a maximum body weight of 90 degrees, 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 rather short and strong.

By sex, birds almost do not differ from each other. They are similar in body color, size features and behavior. Even experienced people can not understand sometimes what individual of the sex is before your eyes.

Lifestyle

1. These birds belong to those birds, which are engaged in building nests for future offspring with some delay. When everything around is green, the nest can be hidden safely. 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 have tried to recreate it in their creations. Of course, they did not succeed, because the lark songs are unique.
3. The main feature is that the volume of singing directly depends on how high the bird soars. The more indicators, the more clearly her song is heard.Since the larks do not fly at the same height, their sounds constantly appear in waves. It is interesting that the females practically do not rise into the sky.
4. Since mid-summer, the singing of these beautiful birds can be heard less often. The thing is that individuals are engaged in the cultivation and rearing of offspring. When the younger generation gets stronger, the larks start to prepare the second clutch.
5. Field larks are very common in European countries. The name came about because of the peculiarity of choosing a habitat, that is, individuals settled in fields and meadows. They are often in open space.
6. Due to its small size, birds make enemies for themselves. Among the enemies emit large birds, such as hawks and crows. Also birds are hunted by snakes, ermines, shrews.

Nutrition

1. Often, the basis of the feeding of the birds in question is everything that they pick up from the ground. Birds often regale insects and their larvae. Such food for birds is a favorite delicacy. It often happens that the larks do not find their favorite food.In this case, they feed on last year’s plant seeds.
2. From cereals, birds prefer wheat and oats. As for insects, larks enjoy eating beetles, locust, ants, leaf beetles and caterpillars with pleasure. The individuals in question are very helpful to farmers, as they eat various pests that are detrimental to agriculture.
3. The larks have a very good digestion. This is due to the fact that the time of feeding birds specifically swallow small pebbles. During wintering individuals find grains and all sorts of plant seeds under the snow.

Breeding

1. Before the onset of the cold season, the individuals in question are trying to migrate to warmer regions. However, the usual nesting sites, such birds are in no hurry to leave. If the 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 in such areas it may even still snow.
3. In most cases, the males arrive first.After a few days, the females catch up. The individuals that formed pairs after arrival jointly begin building the nest. It is worth noting that the larks arrange the dwelling in such a way that they can hardly be seen in the wilderness.
4. Over time, the female is able to bring up to 5 eggs. At the same time the young growth begins to be born already after half a month. Nestlings hatch with light plumage and completely blind. However, the development of young stockings proceeds very quickly. After just a month, the chicks are on the wing and lead a completely independent lifestyle.
5. Often, considered individuals try to build nests in tall grass or under bushes. Birds choose those places where the dwelling will be almost imperceptible. Often the larks' nests can be found under stones or even on horse manure.
6. At the same time, when building a nest, birds try to select the materials that will best blend with the environment. It should be noted that the sense of conspiracy is very well developed in the individuals in question. In the nest itself, even the eggs are not always able to be considered. Due to the color of their hard to notice.

Larks bring great benefits to agriculture.Farmers love represented individuals for the fact that they destroy the seeds of unwanted plants and all sorts of small pests. Larks feed on beetles and locusts. In addition, these birds have excellent singing. Such sounds can help people in difficult life periods.

Video: field lark (Alauda arvensis)